The Indian Ocean region off Durban is abuzz with activity as 11 naval ships of India, Brazil and South Africa are engaged in nautical exercises as part of the ongoing maritime exercise among the three countries, a Defence spokesperson said here on Thursday.
This is the second edition of India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR) being conducted from September 13 to 27. The exercises are multi-dimensional wherein various naval scenarios are being looked into with an aim of sharing best practices in various facets of naval operations, he said.
The ships participating are: Mysore, Tabar, Ganga and Aditya of the Indian Navy; Amatola, Spioenkop, Drakensburg, Charlotte Maxeke, Queen Modjadji-I and Galeshewe of the South African Navy, and the Brazilian Naval Ship Niteroi.
Associated integral helicopters including Lynx and Seakings are also participating in the exercise.
The inaugural India-Brazil-South Africa trilateral exercise was held in South Africa in May 2008. IBSA is a unique forum which brings together the three large democracies from the three different continents, all facing common challenges.
IBSAMAR is conducted by the Joint Work Group for Defence, among the 16 Joint Working Groups of the three nations looking into various cooperation initiatives.