South Africa hosted the ninth India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX), which brought together the three countries’ navies for joint maritime training at Naval Base Simon’s Town. The exercise concluded with a closing parade at Cole Point Arena, attended by personnel from all participating nations.
India, Brazil and South Africa conducted the exercise in two phases: the harbour phase and the sea phase. The harbour phase began with the arrival of the Brazilian Navy Ship Barroso, followed by the Indian Naval Ship Tarkash. During this phase, the navies focused on joint planning, communication procedures and coordinating their activities at sea.
Major General Thulare, the General Officer Commanding of Joint Operational Headquarters, visited Rear Admiral Matsane, the Flag Officer Fleet, and inspected the facilities to assess their readiness for the exercise.
The official programme began with a media briefing aboard the Indian Naval Ship Tarkash. The participating navies also held formal gatherings aboard the South African Ship Amatola, the Brazilian Navy Ship Barroso and the Indian Naval Ship Tarkash to encourage cooperation and build relationships among naval personnel.
The sea phase began when the participating ships departed for joint maritime operations. The fleet included the South African Ships Amatola, King Sekhukhune I, Adam Kok III and Manthatisi, the Brazilian Navy Ship Barroso, and the Indian Naval Ship Tarkash.
During the sea phase, the navies carried out surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, visit, board, search and seizure operations, helicopter operations, and search and rescue exercises. These activities tested their operational capabilities and ability to coordinate maritime missions. General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force, visited the fleet to observe the operations.
The sea exercises concluded with a demonstration aboard the South African Ship Amatola, where participating personnel simulated close-quarter attacks on ships. General Maphwanya, Vice Admiral Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, Major General Thulare, Rear Admiral Matsane and other invited guests watched the demonstration, which showcased the navies’ operational skills and ability to coordinate their responses to maritime threats.
At the closing parade, Joint Task Force Commander Captain A. P. Jacobs commended the participating personnel for their contribution to the exercise. He highlighted the trust built among sailors from different naval traditions and thanked all personnel, regardless of rank, for their role in the exercise.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of gifts to the commanding officers of the participating ships. IBSAMAR IX reinforced maritime cooperation among South Africa, India and Brazil, with a focus on naval interoperability, operational readiness and the ability to respond jointly to maritime security threats.
source:maritimafrica.com
