South African Navy Deepens Maritime Cooperation with the Indian Navy
The South African Navy (SA Navy) continues to strengthen its professional and strategic relationship with the Indian Navy through a series of engagements encompassing operational deployments, high-level leadership interactions, and specialised training exchanges.
This cooperation was most visibly demonstrated in February 2026, when the SA Navy frigate SAS AMATOLA deployed to Visakhapatnam, India, to participate in Exercise MILAN 2026 and the International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by the Indian Navy. The deployment formed part of a broader programme of multinational maritime engagement that brought together naval forces from across the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.
During the visit to India, the Chief of the SA Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, participated in the Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), convened alongside Exercise MILAN. The Conclave brought together the Chiefs of Navy and senior naval leaders from Indian Ocean littoral states to deliberate on shared maritime challenges, including maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), search and rescue cooperation, and maritime domain awareness.
Vice Admiral Lobese’s engagement with his counterparts reinforced South Africa’s commitment to structured naval diplomacy and sustained professional dialogue within the Indian Ocean Region. Such forums provide an important mechanism through which naval leaders align strategic perspectives, strengthen professional networks, and advance cooperative maritime initiatives.
His presence also underscored the importance the SA Navy attaches to naval diplomacy as a practical instrument for building trust, confidence, and stability at sea.
Beyond multinational exercises and port visits, the SA Navy – Indian Navy relationship increasingly includes specialised professional training. SA Navy submariners and technical personnel have attended advanced courses at Indian naval training establishments, particularly those associated with submarine operations and underwater safety.
These training exchanges contribute directly to operational readiness and enhance the professional development of SA Navy personnel. They also demonstrate the practical dimension of the bilateral relationship, extending cooperation beyond ceremonial engagement towards tangible capability development.
The evolving relationship between the SA Navy and the Indian Navy reflects a balanced combination of naval diplomacy, operational cooperation, and professional training.
Through sustained engagement at the strategic, operational, and technical levels, both navies continue to develop a partnership grounded in professionalism, mutual respect, and shared maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
Article and Photographs by SA Navy || Public Relations Office.
