The ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX 2026) concluded at Simon’s Town, South Africa, on October 20, marking another milestone in trilateral naval cooperation and efforts to enhance maritime interoperability among the three nations.
The ten-day exercise brought together the Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies for a series of professional interactions, joint training activities and maritime evolutions conducted during the harbour and sea phases. The engagements focused on strengthening operational coordination, exchanging best practices and enhancing mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities, procedures and methods of operating at sea.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Commanding Officer of INS Tarkash highlighted the importance of IBSAMAR in translating longstanding diplomatic relations into practical naval cooperation. He emphasised that the exercise’s value extends beyond joint operations at sea, with professional exchanges, shared experiences and mutual learning helping build lasting bonds among personnel.
IBSAMAR reflects the shared maritime interests of India, Brazil and South Africa, three nations spanning different continents but connected by their commitment to safe, secure and stable seas. The trilateral engagement provides a platform to address common maritime challenges, strengthen operational coordination and enhance the participating navies’ ability to work together effectively.
The exercise also reinforced the importance of jointmanship and interoperability in the maritime domain. Repeated interactions and coordinated training help develop a common understanding of maritime operations, while strengthening institutional relationships that can support future naval engagements.
The successful conclusion of IBSAMAR IX 2026 reaffirms the commitment of India, Brazil and South Africa to deepening maritime cooperation and promoting safe, secure and open seas in accordance with a rules-based international order.
