Visitors and navy enthusiasts can look forward to seeing breathtaking naval feats during the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) multinational maritime Exercise India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR), which is begins at the SA Naval Base in Simon’s Town today (Thursday 8 October) and runs until Monday the 19th.

Exercise IBSAMAR, a joint trilateral naval engagement between the navies of South Africa, India and Brazil, aims to cultivate interoperability, strengthen long-standing maritime security partnerships, and enhance joint operational capabilities to safeguard vital international shipping lanes and boost regional maritime economic stability.

Participating nations

Initiated in 2008, it is held biennially. South Africa serves as the permanent geographic host for the drills, though leadership of the exercise rotates among the three participating nations.

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This year, the exercise will feature a comprehensive two-phase programme.

The Alongside Phase, conducted at the SA Naval Base in Simon’s Town, will focus on joint operational planning, academic discussions, cross-deck familiarisation and sports interactions between personnel from the three navies.

Naval manoeuvres

The Sea Phase, to be conducted in the waters of the South Western Cape and within South African territorial waters will feature advanced naval manoeuvres including surface gunnery serials, replenishment-at-sea drills, and maritime search and rescue operations.

A media briefing will be held on board the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash at the East Dockyard, Naval Base in Simon’s Town on Monday 12 October, from 08:30 to 09:30. Media are requested to arrive at 07:00 for accreditation.

The opening ceremony will follow on the same day at Cole Point, Naval Base from 10:00 to 11:00.

The exercise will conclude with a Distinguished Visitors’ Day on Monday the 19th, from 09:00 to 12:00, with media on board the INS Tarkash.

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