India, Brazil and South Africa to strengthen maritime cooperation, operational coordination and collective security through trilateral naval drills
Indian Navy’s frontline guided-missile stealth frigate INS Tarkash is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX) 2026.
The trilateral exercise brings together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa to enhance operational interoperability, strengthen maritime cooperation and promote mutual understanding among the participating forces.
The 2026 edition is being conducted under the theme “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain”. It aims to improve collective preparedness and strengthen cooperation in addressing evolving maritime security challenges, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.
Conducted biennially since 2008 under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) framework, IBSAMAR has developed into a platform for joint training and the exchange of operational practices among the three navies.
The exercise covers a wide range of maritime operations, including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations and maritime interdiction.
Other activities include Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, damage control, firefighting and professional interactions among naval personnel.
These activities are intended to improve coordination and enable the participating navies to share operational experience and practices.
The participating navies are deploying warships, aviation assets and other platforms for the exercise.
South Africa will participate with SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, along with the SAS Manthatisi submarine.
Brazil will deploy BNS Barroso, accompanied by an integral Lynx helicopter.
India will be represented by INS Tarkash, which will operate with an integral Chetak helicopter.
