INS Tarkash begins sea phase of IBSAMAR IX off South Africa's west coast
Synopsis
INS Tarkash has departed Simon's Town to begin the sea phase of IBSAMAR IX, the ninth edition of India's only trilateral naval exercise linking it with Brazil and South Africa. With India as lead nation and a submarine joining South Africa's fleet, this edition signals a deeper strategic push in the Indian Ocean Region under the theme 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future.'
Key Takeaways
INS Tarkash sailed from Simon's Town, South Africa on 15 October 2026 for the sea phase of IBSAMAR IX .
The exercise runs from 12 to 22 October 2026 on South Africa's west coast, with India as lead nation.
South Africa's Vice Admiral Monde Lobese visited INS Tarkash during the harbour phase; India's High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar attended the cultural evening onboard.
South Africa has deployed four vessels including submarine SAS Manthatisi ; Brazil is represented by BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter; India participates with an integral Chetak helicopter .
The exercise covers surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, VBSS, anti-piracy, and search-and-rescue operations, with interoperability and maritime security as core objectives.
INS Tarkash, an Indian Navy frigate, sailed from Simon's Town, South Africa on 15 October 2026 to commence the sea phase of the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX). The trilateral drill, running from 12 to 22 October 2026 on South Africa's west coast, brings together the naval forces of India, Brazil, and South Africa with India serving as the lead nation.
Pre-Sailing Conference and Harbour Phase
Ahead of the vessel's departure, command teams from all three navies convened for a joint Pre-Sailing Conference on 14 October 2026 at Simon's Town to deliberate on the conduct, coordination, and execution of the sea phase, according to the Indian Navy. During the harbour phase, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, visited INS Tarkash and interacted with the ship's Commanding Officer and crew.
The harbour phase also featured a cultural evening onboard attended by India's High Commissioner to South Africa Prabhat Kumar, officials from the Indian Mission, and senior military and government functionaries from South Africa and Brazil.
Participating Vessels and Assets
INS Tarkash is participating with an integral Chetak helicopter. The South African Navy has deployed SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I, SAS Adam Kok III, and the submarine SAS Manthatisi. Brazil is represented by BNS Barroso, which carries an integral Lynx helicopter. The exercise marks the first time a submarine has featured prominently in IBSAMAR's reported order of battle.
Exercise Objectives and Scope
The Ministry of Defence noted that IBSAMAR IX carries the theme 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain'. The exercise covers a broad operational spectrum: surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, maritime interdiction, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, damage control, and firefighting.
Notably, the edition holds particular significance given the strategic context of growing maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, according to the Ministry of Defence. The IBSAMAR series is one of the few trilateral naval exercises linking India to Latin American and African naval powers, reflecting India's broader Indo-Pacific and South-South engagement strategy.
Strategic Significance
IBSAMAR traces its origins to the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Dialogue Forum, a grouping of major developing democracies. This comes amid India's intensifying naval diplomacy across the southern hemisphere, with New Delhi seeking to deepen ties with nations that straddle critical maritime trade routes. Enhanced interoperability between the three navies strengthens collective responses to piracy, illegal fishing, and humanitarian contingencies in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean corridors.
The exercise is scheduled to conclude on 22 October 2026, with assessment reports and bilateral debriefs expected in the days that follow.
Point of View
But its ninth edition carries quiet strategic weight. India's designation as lead nation, combined with South Africa deploying a submarine for the exercise, signals that all three partners are investing more seriously in the format. This comes at a moment when India is working to deepen its naval footprint in the Indian Ocean Region and build interoperability with southern-hemisphere partners who sit astride critical trade and energy routes. The real measure of IBSAMAR's value is not the exercises themselves but whether the coordination protocols built here translate into genuine crisis-response capacity — something that previous editions have only partially demonstrated.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships are participating in IBSAMAR IX?
India is represented by INS Tarkash with an integral Chetak helicopter. South Africa has deployed SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I, SAS Adam Kok III, and the submarine SAS Manthatisi. Brazil is participating with BNS Barroso, which carries an integral Lynx helicopter.
What activities does IBSAMAR IX cover?
The exercise encompasses surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, maritime interdiction, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, damage control, and firefighting drills.
Why does IBSAMAR IX hold strategic significance?
The Ministry of Defence has stated that IBSAMAR IX is significant for furthering maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region. It is one of India's few trilateral naval exercises linking it with South American and African naval powers, supporting India's broader Indo-Pacific engagement strategy and South-South cooperation goals.
What is the theme of IBSAMAR IX?
The theme of IBSAMAR IX is 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain,' which reflects the exercise's aim to promote collective maritime security and enhance preparedness to address shared maritime challenges.
