IBSAMAR 2026: 9th India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise Concludes

The IBANMARIX (9th edition) was successfully completed in South Africa in Simon’s Town after 10 days of joint activities of the navies of the three nations. The exercise comprised the harbour phase and the sea phase and professional engagements and maritime evolutions meant to increase interoperability, enhance operational cooperation, and mutual understanding. The IBANMARX symbolizes the maritime cooperation between the three nations of India, Brazil, and South Africa, who share a common vision for secure and open seas.

Important Highlights of IBSAMAR IX 2026

This exercise ended on 20 October 2026, with the completion of the exercise announced by the Ministry of Defence on 21 October. This exercise was of 10 days duration with harbour phase and sea phase activities.

Indian Navy

• In this exercise, India sent INS Tarkash, which is a frontline guided-missile stealth frigate along with an integral Chetak helicopter.

Brazilian Navy

• In this exercise, Brazil sent BNS Barroso along with an integral Lynx helicopter.

South African Navy

• The host navy for this exercise was South Africa, and it deployed SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III along with the submarine SAS Manthatisi.

Theme of IBSAMAR IX

The theme of IBSAMAR IX held in 2026 was “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.”

The theme focuses on cooperation, maritime readiness, and capability of the participating navies to deal with common maritime challenges.

Exercise Activities and Training

IBSAMAR exercises are professional exchanges and training exercises among the participating navies. The following are some of the possible activities conducted during IBSAMAR exercises,

• Surface and air warfare
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Naval aviation operations
• Interdiction and anti-piracy operations
• Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)
• Search and rescue
• Damage control and firefighting

What is IBSAMAR?

IBSAMAR is an acronym for India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise. This is a trilateral maritime exercise that takes place within the ambit of IBSA cooperation arrangement.

The first exercise took place in 2008 in South Africa and since then, this exercise has taken place biennially. It serves as a forum where the three navies conduct joint exercises and exchange operational experiences.