Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Talwar, arrived at Simon’s Town, South Africa, on 06 Oct 24 to participate in the eighth edition of IBSAMAR.
Exercise IBSAMAR VIII 2024
Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Talwar, arrived at Simon’s Town, South Africa, on 06 Oct 24 to participate in the eighth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise among Indian, Brazilian, and South African Navy scheduled from 06 to 18 October 2024.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen cohesion between the three navies. The broad concept is based on Blue Water Naval Warfare, encompassing the dimensions of Surface and Anti-Air Warfare.
The harbour phase of IBSAMAR VIII will include professional exchanges, Damage Control & Firefighting drills, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure drills, cross-boarding, aviation safety lectures, joint diving operations, an Ocean Governance seminar, sports interactions, cross-decks visits, and interaction among Special Forces and Junior Officers.
Multi-lateral interactions are crucial bridges of friendship that increase mutual trust and enhance interoperability among navies of like-minded littoral nations towards the common goal of a peaceful maritime domain and positive maritime environment.
Defence cooperation between India and South Africa is on an upward trajectory. Operational Sea Training and Submarine Rescue Support have been commenced between both navies since the 12th edition of Navy-to-Navy talks held on 26-28 August 2024 at New Delhi. The visit of INS Talwar aims to further strengthen the ties and reaffirm India’s commitment to constructive collaboration and mutual growth.
INS Talwar was commissioned on 18 June 2003 and is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai under the Western Naval Command. The ship is commanded by Captain Jithu George.
India-Africa Collaborations
•Africa’s economic potential presents significant opportunities for Indian businesses and investors.
•With a projected GDP growth of 4% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024, the continent is becoming an increasingly attractive market.
•India-Africa bilateral trade reached USD 98 billion in 2022-23, with USD 43 billion attributed to the mining and mineral sectors.
•The African Continental Free Trade Area operational since 2021, creates a single market of 1.3 billion people, offering immense potential for Indian exports and investments.
•Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, presenting a significant market for Indian goods and services.
•India currently sources about 15% of its oil demand (approximately 34 million tonnes) from Africa.
•Countries like Nigeria and Angola are key oil suppliers to India.
•In 2022, the first edition of India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT), a joint maritime exercise among the Indian, Mozambique and Tanzanian navies was held.
