INS Tarkash to Participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026, Strengthening India–Brazil–South Africa Maritime Cooperation

Why Is It in News?

On 12 October 2026, the Ministry of Defence announced that INS Tarkash was on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026. The exercise brings together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa. Its theme is “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.”

About

IBSAMAR is a trilateral maritime exercise conducted under the India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) framework. It has been held biennially since 2008 and provides a platform for naval training, operational cooperation and the exchange of best practices.

The ninth edition includes a broad range of maritime activities, such as:

1. Surface warfare.
2. Anti-air warfare.
3. Anti-submarine warfare.
4. Naval air operations.
5. Maritime interdiction.
6. Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS).
7. Anti-piracy operations.
8. Search and rescue.
9. Damage control and firefighting.
10. Professional exchanges among naval personnel.

Participating ships include:

1. India: INS Tarkash, with an integral Chetak helicopter.
2. Brazil: BNS Barroso, with an integral Lynx helicopter.
3. South Africa: SAS Amatola, SAS Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, along with the SAS Manthatisi submarine.

INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy. The exercise contributes to maritime preparedness and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

Key Points

1. Exercise: IBSAMAR IX 2026.
2. Participating countries: India, Brazil and South Africa.
3. Participating forces: Their respective navies.
4. Indian Navy ship: INS Tarkash.
5. Ship type: Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate.
6. Theme: “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.”
7. Framework: India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA).
8. Frequency: Biennial.
9. First conducted: 2008.
10. Major activities: Surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, VBSS, anti-piracy and search-and-rescue operations.
11. Main objective: Improve interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation.