South Africa hosts sixth edition of three-nation IBSAMAR drill

The annual IBSAMAR maritime exercise organized between the navies of Brazil, India and South Africa kicked off at Simons Town, South Africa, on October 1.

The two-week exercise changes hosts every year, with the previous edition taking place in India. The exercise is designed to build interoperability and mutual understanding between participating nations.

The Indian Navy has deployed guided-missile frigate INS Tarkash, destroyer INS Kolkata, a P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and Seaking and Chetak helicopters. The Brazilian Navy is represented by corvette BNS Barroso.

Host nation assets include frigate SAS Amatola, Heroine-class submarine SAS Manthatisi (S101), survey vessel SAS Protea and a number of South African Air Force aircraft.

The exercise includes both harbor and sea phases with various navigation and seamanship evolutions, surface weapons firing, force protection exercises, antipiracy exercise, anti-air and anti-submarine exercise as well as flying operations. Apart from professional activities, sports and social engagements are also planned.