Brazilian, South African Navy ships arrive in Goa, India for exercise IBSAMAR

February 19, 2016

Brazilian Navy patrol ship Amazonas and the South African Navy frigate SAS Spioenkop arrived to Goa, India for the fifth edition of the international, joint exercise IBSAMAR which is to take place from February 19 – 29.

This is the first time that exercise IBSAMAR is being conducted in Indian waters; all previous editions being held at/off South Africa. The primary aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the three navies as well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

Having been initiated in 2006, the scope and complexity of exercise IBSAMAR has increased steadily and in its 5th edition in 2016, IBSAMAR has matured into a complex trilateral exercise involving participation of ships, submarine, aircraft and special forces from Brazil, India and South Africa.

The scope of Exercise IBSAMAR V includes professional interactions during the Harbour Phase and a range of operational activities at sea during the Sea Phase. The thrust of exercises at sea this year would be on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface firings, air defences, visit board search and seizure (VBSS), flying operations, search and rescue and tactical procedures.

During the exercise, the Indian Navy will be represented by indigenously-built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai, the stealth frigate INS Trishul and the Shishumar class submarine INS Shalki. Additionally, various fast attack craft, sea harriers and Mig 29K fighter aircraft, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and integral rotary wing helicopters are also scheduled to participate in the trilateral exercise.

The Brazilian Navy would be represented by BNS Amazonas, with embarked Special Forces, Commanded by Commander Alessander Felipe Imamura Carneiro. The South African Navy would be represented by South African Naval Ship SAS Spioenkop with integral helicopter and embarked Special Forces, Commanded by Captain MA Boucher.

Both the ships are on a return passage after participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR) held at Visakhapatnam from February 4 -8, 2016. Commencing at IFR, Exercise IBSAMAR V marks an operational chapter to nearly a month-long interaction of these ships with the Indian Navy.

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