9th edition of IBSAMAR maritime exercise concludes in South Africa

• The ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR) exercise concluded at Simon’s Town, South Africa, on October 20. 

• The trilateral maritime exercise brought together the Indian, Brazilian and South African navies with the aim of enhancing interoperability, strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting mutual understanding amongst the participating forces.

• IBSAMAR has been conducted biennially since 2008 under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) framework and has emerged as an important platform for collective training and exchange of operational best practices amongst the three navies. 

• The theme of IBSAMAR IX was ‘Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain’. 

• It aims to promote collective maritime security and preparedness to address maritime challenges.

• The current edition IBSAMAR IX holds significance in the context of furthering maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region. 

• Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a frontline guided missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, participated in the ten-day exercise.

• The South African Navy participated with SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, along with SAS Manthatisi submarine. Brazil participated with BNS Barroso, embarked with one integral Lynx helicopter.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)