Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a frontline guided missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in the ninth edition of India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR) Exercise 2026. The trilateral maritime exercise brings 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 exercise encompasses a broad spectrum of maritime operations, which include surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, maritime interdiction, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, Search and Rescue, Damage Control and Firefighting, as well as professional interactions.

The current edition IBSAMAR IX holds significance in the context of furthering maritime cooperation and security in Indian Ocean Region. The theme of IBSAMAR IX is Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain. It aims to promote collective maritime security and preparedness to address maritime challenges.

The South African Navy will participate with SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, along with SAS Manthatisi submarine. Brazil will participate with BNS Barroso, embarked with one integral Lynx helicopter, whereas the Indian Navy is represented by INS Tarkash embarked with one integral Chetak helicopter.

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