IBSAMAR-VI: Joint Maritime Exercise between Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies held

The sixth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multi–national maritime exercise between Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies was held at Simons Town, South Africa. The aim of this maritime exercise is to undertake collective training for participating navies, building interoperability and mutual understanding as well as sharing of best practices.

Exercise IBSAMAR
It was initiated in 2006. It is considered as most visible manifestation of convergence of democratic values, economic interests and maritime cooperation. The last edition of IBSAMAR V was conducted off Goa, India in February 2016 and all previous exercises were held in South Africa.

IBSAMAR 2018

This edition exercise included both harbour and sea phases with various navigation and seamanship evolutions, force protection exercises, surface weapons firing, antipiracy exercise, anti-air and anti-submarine exercise and flying operations were also conducted. Apart from professional activities, sports and social engagements were also conducted.
For this exercise, Indian Navy was represented by Guided Missile Destroyer Kolkata, Guided Missile Frigate Tarkash, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I, Seaking and Chetak helicopters as well as MARCOS contingent. South African Navy was represented by SAS Amatola, SAS Protea and SAS Manthatisi along with elements of its maritime reaction squadron. Brazilian Navy was represented by frigate BNS Barroso, platoon of  Special Forces and air asset of AS350 Ecureuil.

IBSA

It is international tripartite grouping for promoting international cooperation among India, Brazil, South Africa. It aims at galvanizing South-South cooperation and greater understanding between three important continents of developing world form Africa, Asia and South America.
The forum provides three countries with platform to engage in discussions for cooperation in field of agriculture, trade, culture, and defence among others. It also plays important role in foreign policies of India, Brazil and South Africa.
IBSA has become instrumental for promoting ever closer coordination on global issues between three large multicultural and multiracial democracies of Asia, South America and Africa. It has contributed to enhancing trilateral India-Brazil-South Africa cooperation in sectoral areas.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2018