The South African Navy’s frigate SAS Amatola is on her way to India, where she will represent South Africa at the 2026 International Fleet Review and Exercise MILAN, hosted by the Indian Navy.
The frigate departed Simon’s Town Naval Base on Sunday 25 January and berthed in Durban three days later for an official sendoff before continuing on her journey. She is expected to arrive in India around mid-February, in time for the President of India reviewing the fleet on 18 February.
The South African Navy said the deployment marks an important milestone for South Africa’s maritime posture, reaffirming its role as an active contributor to multilateral naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. It also reflects a measured return to long-range deployments, undertaken with careful planning, disciplined prioritisation and professional resolve.
Addressing the SAS Amatola’s company during a send-off ceremony at Naval Base Durban last week, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, told crew that “Once you slip and sail, then you are charged with the responsibility of representing our nation, the South African National Defence Force, and the South African Navy, at sea, in ports of call, and during interactions with the navies of other countries. Always remember that you will be performing this service and duty in support of national interests, and such responsibility requires high levels of dignity, pride, and honour.”
“This trip is a practical demonstration of the promise I made to the Indian Chief of Naval Staff — that the South African Navy would send a vessel to participate in their International Fleet Review. Today, SAS Amatola sails as our chosen flagship.
“We all know that it has been quite a while since we have had the privilege of sending a ship on such a voyage. This moment is not only important in the history of our Navy but indeed of our country,” Lobese said.
The last major overseas deployment of a South African frigate occurred in early 2017, when SAS Amatola embarked on a multi-month mission to the United Kingdom to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of SS Mendi and to undertake advanced sea training. Several West African ports were also visited during that deployment.
Captain (SA Navy) Theo Mabina, Senior Staff Officer Naval Public Relations, noted that public discourse over recent years has reflected deep concerns about the SA Navy’s operational capacity, funding constraints, and maintenance backlogs that have limited a sustained overseas presence. Budgetary challenges have contributed to reduced sea hours and delayed refits across the fleet, a situation that shaped a prolonged period with limited long-range deployments.
“In this context, SAS Amatola’s deployment represents a tangible demonstration of resilience and strategic prioritisation. It signifies the SAN’s ability to prepare and mobilise its premiere surface combatant for extended operations even amid constrained resources. This mission serves as a validation of the Navy’s steadfast professionalism and its ongoing efforts to enhance readiness and contribute meaningfully to shared regional security objectives,” Mabina stated.
Accompanying the Indian Navy’s International Fleet Review and Exercise MILAN are the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs and an International Maritime Seminar, offering platforms to address challenges such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), information sharing, and coordinated responses to non-traditional security threats. The Conclave will take place on 20 February and the Seminar on the 19th and 20th.
Exercise MILAN has evolved into one of the world’s largest multilateral naval engagements, bringing together dozens of navies. Exercise MILAN’s Sea and Harbour Phases (19-25 February) will focus on interoperability, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and search-and-rescue operations. Over 100 countries have been invited to take part in India’s International Fleet Review and Exercise MILAN 2026.
As SAS Amatola sails, she carries the pride of the Navy and the nation — strengthening partnerships, flying the South African flag, and contributing to shared security at sea, the SA Navy said, adding that for South Africa, participation in the major Indian maritime events also reinforces longstanding defence relations with India, built over decades through bilateral engagements and trilateral initiatives.
