As part of a growing trend of military cooperation, Chinese, Brazilian, and Indian naval vessels are making their way to South Africa. These visits coincide with the Navy Festival in Cape Town and the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (Exercise Ibsamar) later this month.
Chinese Naval Participation
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is dispatching the frigate CNS Xuchang to participate in the Navy Festival in Simons Town from 4 to 6 October. Chinese defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang announced this during a recent press conference. CNS Xuchang will partake in a fleet review and an open day, allowing the public to engage with the vessel and its crew. The frigate will also participate in joint maritime exercises with the South African Navy.
CNS Xuchang, a Type 054A frigate, last visited Cape Town in May for a technical stop while attached to the 46th Chinese naval escort taskforce in the Gulf of Aden. The frigate replenished oil, water, and food during this stop and provided rest for sailors. The PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, also visited Cape Town on 22 August, offering medical services to 3,700 visitors and performing surgeries, including uterine fibroid removal and cataract restoration.
Indian Naval Contribution
The Indian Navy is sending its stealth frigate INS Talwar to the southern tip of Africa. The frigate arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, on 22 September. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and affirm India’s commitment to collaboration and growth, according to the Indian Navy.
INS Talwar is slated to join Exercise Ibsamar 2024, running from 7 to 16 October. The exercise will be hosted at Saldanha port and associated South African Navy facilities on the Western Cape’s west coast.
Brazilian Naval Involvement
For the first time since the last Exercise Ibsamar in 2022, Brazil is sending the Niteroi class frigate Defensora to participate. The frigate, accompanied by a Lynx helicopter and a naval special forces detachment, departed Rio de Janeiro Naval Base on 23 September. Following Ibsamar VIII, the Defensora will proceed to Namibia for the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Naval Cooperation Agreement between Brazil and Namibia.
South African Navy Festival
Simons Town will host the South African Navy Festival from 4 to 6 October, showcasing a significant international naval presence. The Russian Navy’s frigate Neustrashimy and the replenishment vessel Akademik Pashin arrived on 3 October, having departed the Red Sea on 6 September. Only the Akademik Pashin had its AIS transponder active upon arrival.
CNS Xuchang’s involvement in the festival underscores the strengthening military ties between China and South Africa. This event, along with the subsequent Exercise Ibsamar, highlights the collaborative efforts of international naval forces to enhance maritime security and cooperation.