IBSAMAR IX concludes: INS Tarkash completes Simon's Town port call
Synopsis
The ninth edition of IBSAMAR — the only trilateral naval exercise linking India, Brazil, and South Africa — wrapped up on 22 October 2026, with INS Tarkash completing its port call at Simon's Town. With a submarine in the South African fleet and a shared theme of 'Stronger Together,' this edition signals that what began as symbolic South-South solidarity is now a substantive, operationally complex maritime partnership.
Key Takeaways
IBSAMAR IX concluded on 22 October 2026 , with INS Tarkash completing its port call at Simon's Town , South Africa.
The sea phase began on 15 October 2026 , preceded by a joint Pre-Sailing Conference on 14 October 2026 .
South Africa deployed SAS Amatola , SAS King Sekhukhune I , SAS Adam Kok III , and submarine SAS Manthatisi ; Brazil sent BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter.
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese , Chief of the South African Navy, visited INS Tarkash during the harbour phase.
The exercise theme was 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain' , focused on interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region .
The ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX) has concluded, with INS Tarkash, the Indian Navy's guided-missile frigate, completing its port call at Simon's Town in South Africa on 22 October 2026. The exercise saw the naval forces of all three countries operate as a combined force, from harbour manoeuvres to open-sea operations, according to the Indian Navy.
Exercise Wrap-Up and Indian Navy's Statement
The Indian Navy confirmed the conclusion of IBSAMAR IX via its official account on X, stating: 'INS Tarkash concluded her port call at Simon's Town on 22 Oct 26, on completion of the ninth edition of the India–Brazil–South Africa maritime exercise. From harbour to open sea, the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy and South African Navy operated together as a combined force towards shared vision of open and safe seas for all.'
The sea phase of the exercise had commenced on 15 October 2026, when INS Tarkash sailed from Simon's Town. Prior to that, on 14 October 2026, command teams from all three navies convened for a joint Pre-Sailing Conference to deliberate on the conduct, coordination, and execution of the sea phase.
Key Participants and Assets Deployed
South Africa participated with SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I, SAS Adam Kok III, and the submarine SAS Manthatisi. Brazil was represented by BNS Barroso, which carried an integral Lynx helicopter. India's INS Tarkash operated with an integral Chetak helicopter on board. The combined deployment underscores the operational depth each nation brought to the trilateral exercise.
High-Level Interactions During Harbour Phase
During the harbour phase of IBSAMAR IX, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, visited INS Tarkash and interacted with the ship's Commanding Officer and crew — a gesture that reflects the growing institutional ties between the three navies. Such bilateral engagements during multilateral exercises are increasingly viewed as a diplomatic signal of mutual trust among the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) grouping nations.
Strategic Significance in the Indian Ocean Region
The Ministry of Defence had earlier described IBSAMAR IX as particularly significant in the context of advancing maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The theme of this edition — 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain' — reflects a collective commitment to maritime security and preparedness. The ministry noted the exercise aims to 'promote collective maritime security and preparedness to address maritime challenges.'
Notably, IBSAMAR traces its roots to the broader IBSA forum, a South-South cooperation platform linking three of the world's major emerging economies. The exercise's growing complexity — now involving submarines and helicopter-integrated operations — signals a maturation from symbolic cooperation to substantive interoperability. This is the ninth such edition, marking over two decades of trilateral naval engagement.
What This Means Going Forward
With geopolitical competition intensifying in the Indian Ocean, exercises like IBSAMAR serve as a counterweight by building non-Western maritime partnerships grounded in shared rules-based norms. INS Tarkash's successful participation and the high-level flag interactions at Simon's Town suggest India is investing in deeper naval diplomacy across the southern hemisphere — a strategic calculus that will likely deepen as IOR security concerns grow.
Point of View
But its strategic value is quietly growing. With the Indian Ocean increasingly contested, a trilateral framework linking India, Brazil, and South Africa — three non-Western democracies with large maritime zones — provides a rare interoperability bridge outside NATO structures. The inclusion of a South African submarine this edition is not a routine upgrade; it signals a willingness to integrate more sensitive naval assets into multilateral drills. India's consistent investment in such exercises reflects a deliberate Indo-Pacific plus southern Atlantic hedging strategy that mainstream coverage rarely credits sufficiently.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships participated in IBSAMAR IX?
India was represented by INS Tarkash with an integral Chetak helicopter; Brazil by BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter; and South Africa by SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I, SAS Adam Kok III, and the submarine SAS Manthatisi.
What was the theme of IBSAMAR IX?
The theme of IBSAMAR IX was 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain,' reflecting a collective focus on maritime security and preparedness to address shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Why is IBSAMAR IX strategically significant?
The Ministry of Defence described the exercise as significant for furthering maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region. It also represents a deepening of South-South naval cooperation among three major emerging economies — India, Brazil, and South Africa — operating outside traditional Western alliance frameworks.
Who visited INS Tarkash during the exercise?
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, visited INS Tarkash during the harbour phase of IBSAMAR IX, interacting with the ship's Commanding Officer and crew at Simon's Town.
