By Dean Wingrin, DefenceWeb
Photo: Indian Navy
South Africa, India and Brazil have begun the ninth edition of multinational maritime Exercise Ibsamar, with an expanded programme of air defence, weapons firing and cross-deck helicopter operations aimed at strengthening cooperation against shared maritime threats.
The opening ceremony was held at Naval Base Simon’s Town, Cape Town, on Monday 12 October, bringing together the navies of South Africa, India and Brazil for a week of joint training and professional exchanges. The 2026 iteration is led by India.
Running from 12 to 20 October, the biennial trilateral exercise aims to improve interoperability, strengthen maritime security partnerships and enhance the participating forces’ ability to operate together in an increasingly complex maritime environment.
The theme for this edition, “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain,” reflects the three countries’ commitment to cooperation, freedom of navigation and the security of vital international shipping routes.
Captain Rohit Mishra of the Indian Navy, Exercise Joint Task Force Commander, said Ibsamar had developed into an important platform for professional interaction, operational coordination and the exchange of best practices since its inception in 2008.
“Ibsamar is a powerful expression of our collective resolve to work together towards a secure, stable and peaceful maritime environment,” Mishra said at the opening ceremony.
He highlighted the growing range of challenges confronting maritime forces, including piracy, maritime crime, threats to shipping, human trafficking and illegal fishing.
“No single maritime nation alone can respond to the challenges,” he said, noting the need for coordinated responses, professional competence and effective cooperation between like-minded navies.
The exercise comprises a harbour phase from 12 to 14 October, followed by a sea phase scheduled for 15 to 19 October.
During the harbour phase at Simon’s Town, personnel will undertake joint operational planning, professional lectures, subject-matter expert exchanges, communication training and cross-deck familiarisation. Sports activities will also provide opportunities for interaction between the participating contingents.
Sea phase activities include surface warfare, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, visit, board, search and seizure operations, anti-piracy drills, search and rescue, damage control, firefighting and helicopter operations.
The Exercise Director, Rear Admiral (JG) Jabulani Mbotho of the South African Navy, said this year’s edition would build on previous iterations by increasing the complexity and scope of the training.
“This time, we are introducing new air defence exercises. We are increasing the scope of VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure). We are increasing the scope of firing exercises at sea,” he said.
Cross-deck helicopter operations will also form part of the programme, providing opportunities for crews to familiarise themselves with different aircraft, platforms and operating procedures.
The participating forces include the Indian Navy’s guided-missile frigate INS Tarkash, the Brazilian Navy corvette BNS Barroso, and South African frigate SAS Amatola, Multi-Purpose Inshore Patrol Vessels SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, together with the submarine SAS Manthatisi. Special forces from all three countries and embarked helicopters will also contribute to the exercise.
The Indian contingent includes a Chetak (Indian-built Alouette III) helicopter, while the Brazilian ship is equipped with a Super Lynx helicopter.
South Africa will additionally commit Super Lynx and Oryx helicopters, as well as the Gripen fighter. Other South African National Defence Force elements include maritime task force personnel, military police and defence intelligence in support of the joint exercise.
A key focus of Ibsamar IX will be the development of a shared operational picture and the ability to communicate securely and effectively during combined operations.
Mishra said the Indian Navy had deployed NISHAR MITRA terminals, an internet-enabled secure command, control and communications system, for the exercise. The laptop-based system will be provided to each participating ship, with an additional node available at the Joint Task Force Commander’s headquarters ashore.
Training and familiarisation with the system during the harbour phase are intended to support coordinated communications and improve maritime domain awareness during the sea phase.
Mbotho said the exercise would focus on identifying activity at sea, including piracy and other illegal activities, while making use of maritime domain awareness centres to build a recognised maritime picture.
He said the participating navies faced common threats, ranging from piracy and the trafficking of arms, drugs and people to illegal fishing.
“We feel that no single Navy can actually counter all these threats all alone,” Mbotho said. “The way forward is to join our hands together, build a stronger cooperation, and operate together in the maritime domain so that we are able to counter these threats.”
For Brazil, Ibsamar also reinforces its commitment to peace and cooperation in the South Atlantic.
Captain (BN) Angelo Chambarelli of the Brazilian Navy welcomed the opportunity to train alongside South African and Indian counterparts, describing the exercise as an important means of strengthening combined maritime security capabilities.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining safety and freedom of navigation across the maritime routes connecting the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions.
Brazil’s participation, he said, reflected its commitment to the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, known by its Portuguese acronym ZOPACAS, established in 1986.
Mishra said India’s participation reflected its commitment to a cooperative and inclusive maritime order, respect for international law, freedom of navigation and the peaceful use of the seas.
“Our role in this exercise is not merely to demonstrate operational proficiency, but also to build enduring professional and personal relationships and contribute to collective maritime security,” he said.
For the three navies, the value of Ibsamar extends beyond the individual training serials. By sharing expertise, comparing procedures and operating together, participating personnel will develop a better understanding of one another’s capabilities and improve their ability to respond to maritime emergencies and security threats in the future.
Prior to the Opening Ceremony, the three countries signed the Implementing Arrangement for support during Exercise Ibsamar IX.
The sea phase will take place along the Cape West coast and is scheduled to conclude on 20 October.
