₦airaland Forum

Lurker4Long:
Naval Exercise IBSAMAR VIII
The eighth edition of Exercise IBSAMAR, the multinational maritime exercise involving the navies of South Africa, Brazil and India, has commenced, marking another milestone in the trilateral collaboration between these maritime nations.
Held every two years, the exercise rotates leadership among the three participating nations, with South Africa serving as the permanent host due to its strategic geographical location.

Exercise IBSAMAR provides a platform for the naval forces of these nations to conduct a variety of exercises, both ashore and at sea, aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime security.
The South African Navy has deployed the frigate SAS Amatola, supported by a Super Lynx helicopter, an Oryx helicopter and two Hawk jets. Brazil’s contribution includes the Niteroi-class frigate BNS Defensora, equipped with a Super Lynx helicopter and a Special Forces team. India is participating with the frigate INS Talwar, its onboard Ka-31 AEW helicopter and an Indian Special Forces team.

A key technological highlight of Exercise IBSAMAR VIII is the use of the Indian Navy’s NISHAR (Network for Information Sharing) system. This system enables seamless communication and information sharing between the participating naval forces, enhancing their ability to coordinate operations and develop a common operating picture.

NISHAR uses portable terminals that work on plug-and-play architecture, allowing the participating navies to share text, emails and, when satellite bandwidth allows, images and video conferencing. This level of connectivity is crucial during joint exercises, ensuring that all units can communicate effectively over long distances.

Thus, India, Brazil and South Africa can establish a unified communication framework during operations, enhancing their ability to conduct joint maritime exercises and share tactical information.

Exercise IBSAMAR goes beyond military cooperation, serving as a symbol of the shared commitment of South Africa, Brazil and India to safeguard maritime security and promote stability in their regions. The successful execution of this exercise not only demonstrates the operational readiness of the participating navies but also reinforces the bonds of friendship and cooperation among the three nations.

As Brazilian Commander Almeida Malos de Carvalho aptly put it, “IBSAMAR is one of the pillars of our defence responses, a high-strength collaboration and exchange of knowledge between our nations.”

1/...

kabe1:
...

Exnavyboy62:
This unusual blue camo fit, is it official…??

MiddleDimension:
What's wingeria?

kabe1:
Nigeria has today formally inducted 2 x units of T-129 ATAK helicopters.

This brings the total number of T-129 ATAK helicopters in Air Force service to 4 x units.

Nigeria is a currently negotiating for the purchase of an additional 6 x units.

Lurker4Long:
GreenandGold, I'd almost forgotten we are assuming the presidency of the G20 from 01 December! And let the games begin about which city will host the 2025 Summit. My completely objective, totally unbiased preference is Cape Town !

GreenandGold:
A man who lives in Cape Town has no bias preference to his hometown.

.... Me, living inland totally cheers for Johannesburg, and trust me, I'm not biased in any form

Attached, is an image I took myself

Lurker4Long:
At first I thought Exercise Good Hope, but the last one was here -meaning next one is in Germany.
Found out they were participating in some Pacific exercise and are now going home.
They're too scared to run the Houthi gauntlet in the Red Sea!
And yet they were poking the dragon by sailing in the Taiwan Strait!

GreenandGold:
The Houthis are making the Cape Route great again...

In total, 5,746 Marmon–Herrington armoured cars were built. About 4,500 were used by South African units, while others were employed by British, Indian, New Zealand, Greek, Free French, Polish, Dutch East Indies, and Belgian forces. After World War II, a few were given to the Trans-Jordan and saw combat with the Arab Legion in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The Mk IVF saw combat as late as July–August 1974, during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, when it was used by the Cypriot National Guard. The Greek army used Marmon–Herringtons in the islands of the Aegean well into the 1990s, in mechanized infantry battalions of special composition, alongside Jeeps, M-113s, and Leonidas AFVs. They were finally phased out of service with the introduction of VBL AFV, six decades after their introduction.

Lurker4Long:

A friend in ship supply and bunkering says his 20-year old company will make the largest profit ever, this year. He currently operates out of Cape Town and Durban ports; the combination of Trump and Netanyahu has convinced him the Houthis will continue. So he's expanding to PE and Richard's Bay ports next year.

Lurker4Long:
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

Lurker4Long:
Throwback Thursday: one of the earliest armoured vehicles manufactured in SA for use in North Africa during WW2, now a lovingly-restored Museum piece.

This third iteration of Vuk’uhlome saw 7 170 troops partake in exercises leading up to the Distinguished Visitors Day, which culminated in a capability display from various units. Elements from the SA Army’s Specialist Infantry Capability (SAASIC), 1 Tactical Intelligence Unit, Motorised Infantry, 43 Mechanised Brigade, Special Forces, South African Air Force’s 2 Squadron and 85 Combat Flying School all showed off their skills and firepower.

The capability demonstration began with a large explosion detonated by engineers, a crowd control scenario (with dogs, horses and South African Police Service vehicles amongst others intervening), followed by a parachute drop from a BK 117 helicopter and air strikes by Hawks and Gripens, with two Hawks firing their 30 mm cannons. Three Gripens demonstrated their lethal accuracy with unguided Mk 81 120 kg bombs, dropping eight bombs each, totalling 2 880 kg of ordinance.

Special Forces demonstrated their disciplined tactical proficiency and gave visitor’s a peak at their new CZ Bren 2 assault rifles, chambered in both 5.56 NATO and 7.62×39 mm. Supported by mortars, ZPU-2 and ZU-23 anti-aircraft autocannons, mounted on Toyota Land Cruisers affectionately named the GOAT (gun on a truck), they executed a fire and movement to a defensive position, catching a ride on their iconic Hornets.

A battery of four Bateleur FV2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) fired a volley of 160 127 mm pre-fragmented high explosive rockets, commencing the mechanised assault by elements of 43 Mechanised Brigade. A platoon of six Olifant MK1A Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) led the way, with two platoons of Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) following through the dust and chaos. The mechanised assault was supported by a distant battery of G5 and G6 howitzers, and an Anti-Tank (AT) platoon of Ratel 90s.

With smoke and fire in the air, the day was an awesome display of firepower, bound to impress those guests present. Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, experiencing the exercise for the first time, noted the exercise left her feeling humbled.