Exercise IBSAMAR IX 2026

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Key takeaways

The Indian Navy deployed INS Tarkash to South Africa in 2026 to participate in the ninth edition of IBSAMAR IX.
This trilateral naval drill brings together the maritime forces of India, Brazil, and South Africa under the IBSA framework established in 2008.
The exercise features advanced tactical drills including anti-submarine tracking against the Type 209 submarine SAS Manthatisi.
INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class stealth frigate commissioned in 2012 and built at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia.

The Indian Navy has deployed its frontline guided-missile stealth frigate INS Tarkash to South Africa for the IBSAMAR IX 2026 naval exercise.
This event marks the ninth edition of the trilateral maritime drill involving India, Brazil, and South Africa.

This event is a major trilateral maritime exercise held biennially since 2008 under the IBSA framework.
The primary goal is to promote joint naval training, operational synergy, and the exchange of best practices among the three Southern Hemisphere democracies.
The official theme for the 2026 edition is Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.
The core objectives focus on improving tactical interoperability among the three navies and building a shared understanding of maritime threats.
The drills are hosted by the South African Navy in coastal waters to consolidate operational coordination across the Global South.

The exercise schedule covers complex multi-threat scenarios including surface warfare, anti-air firings, and naval air operations.
Participating forces conduct specialized constabulary operations like Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) boarding drills and anti-piracy simulations.
Sub-surface combat integration involves high-end anti-submarine warfare tracking maneuvers against South Africa's Type 209 submarine named SAS Manthatisi.
The harbour phase includes professional workshops focusing on emergency damage control, firefighting, seamanship evolutions, and personnel exchanges.

The exercise strengthens IBSA security cooperation and promotes collective maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the South Atlantic Oceans.
It showcases the Indian Navy's blue-water capabilities while safeguarding open sea routes and fostering regional partnerships.

INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate built at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia.
The ship was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012.
Its heavy armament includes anti-ship missiles, air-defence systems, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rocket launchers for multi-domain combat operations.