In a landmark development for maritime cooperation, the South African and Indian navies have concluded their first joint operational sea training (OST) for submariners, held in Simon’s Town, home to the South African Navy’s (SAN) submarine fleet. This two-week engagement marks a deepening of naval ties between the two countries and represents a deliberate effort to enhance underwater operational readiness through shared expertise and joint exercises.
The training culminated in a formal ceremony at the Lucas Makwapa Mojela Building, previously known as the Orca Building. Renamed in memory of one of three South African submariners who lost their lives during a vertical replenishment exercise two years ago, the building served as a fitting venue to honour past sacrifices while celebrating future progress. The OST brought together personnel from both navies to collaborate on what Chief Petty Officer Nkululeko Zulu described as a “block training programme” aimed at evaluating and improving the operational readiness of submarines currently in service.
Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) of the Indian Navy, attended the closing event, reflecting the growing importance of Indo-South African naval collaboration. He noted that joint efforts to train and prepare submarine crews have advanced considerably over the past two years, crediting the enthusiasm and adaptability of both navies’ personnel. He described the training not only as a platform to sharpen operational capabilities but also as a means to strengthen work culture and mutual respect between the two maritime forces.
Rear Admiral Handsome Matsane, the South African Navy’s Flag Officer Fleet (FOF), acknowledged the Indian Navy’s commitment to the initiative, expressing gratitude for the time, expertise, and resources devoted to the programme. He stated that the shared knowledge would have a lasting influence on the SAN’s ability to carry out its mission and is a clear demonstration of the growing relationship between the two countries.
This joint submarine training follows an agreement signed between India and South Africa in August and September 2024 regarding submarine rescue cooperation. Under this arrangement, India will provide deep-sea rescue assistance when needed by deploying one of its two deep submergence rescue vehicles (DSRVs). This capability fills a critical gap in South Africa’s naval capacity, which previously relied solely on its domestically developed tower escape safety system (TESS) for submarine emergency exits. The Indian DSRVs now offer South Africa an advanced deep water rescue solution that significantly improves its ability to respond to underwater emergencies.
The OST and the rescue agreement are part of a broader, ongoing partnership that includes frequent high-level military visits, joint training programmes, bilateral naval exercises, and a regular presence of Indian Navy warships in South African waters. Notably, the Indian Navy participated in Exercise Ibsamar off Saldanha Bay in October of the previous year, alongside South African and Brazilian forces, underlining the commitment of all three countries to multilateral maritime cooperation.
The completion of this submarine-focused OST marks a new phase in the maritime relationship between India and South Africa. It reflects not only mutual strategic interests but also a shared vision for safe and capable naval operations in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The joint operational sea training is part of a series of naval and maritime engagements by the Indian Navy with African naval forces.
In April, the inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (Aikeyme) exercise began off the coast of Tanzania, marking a major milestone in maritime cooperation between India and multiple African nations. The six-day naval exercises were co-hosted by Tanzania and include eight other countries which have coastlines on the Indian Ocean, including Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, and South Africa. The exercises will focus on counter-piracy operations as India seeks to position itself as the security partner of choice in the region.
Likewise, in October 2024, the eighth edition of Exercise Ibsamar, a multinational maritime exercise involving the navies of South Africa, Brazil, and India, successfully concluded, marking another milestone in trilateral maritime cooperation. Held biennially, the exercise rotates leadership among the three participating nations, with South Africa serving as the permanent host due to its strategic geographical location.