Maritime News : Simon’s Town, South Africa, 09 October 2024 – The Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Talwar, has arrived in Simon’s Town to participate in the eighth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint maritime exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. The exercise is scheduled to take place from 06 to 18 October 2024.
The primary objective of IBSAMAR VIII is to enhance interoperability and strengthen cooperation among the three nations’ navies. The exercise will focus on Blue Water Naval Warfare, covering both Surface and Anti-Air Warfare dimensions.
During the harbor phase, activities will include professional exchanges, damage control and firefighting drills, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, aviation safety lectures, joint diving operations, an Ocean Governance seminar, and various sports interactions. Additionally, there will be cross-deck visits and interactions among Special Forces and junior officers.
Multilateral interactions like IBSAMAR serve as vital bridges of friendship, fostering mutual trust and enhancing interoperability among like-minded littoral nations, all aimed at promoting a peaceful maritime environment.
The defense cooperation between India and South Africa is on the rise, with recent developments including Operational Sea Training and Submarine Rescue Support initiated during the 12th Navy-to-Navy talks held in New Delhi from 26 to 28 August 2024. The visit of INS Talwar underscores India’s commitment to constructive collaboration and mutual growth in defense relations.
INS Talwar, commissioned on 18 June 2003, is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai under the Western Naval Command, and is currently commanded by Captain Jithu George.