After a successful historic trip to the Indian port city of Visakhapatnam, the South African Navy (SAN) frigate SAS Amatola took part in the Indian Navy’s International Fleet Review and is now participating in Exercise MILAN 2026.
The transoceanic voyage was the first by a South African Navy vessel in almost a decade and SAS Amatola’s participation in the fleet review served as a visible demonstration of South Africa’s continued involvement in global maritime affairs, the SA Navy said in a statement.
The International Fleet Review took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam on 18 February, with participation from 74 countries. It marked the third International Fleet Review hosted by India, following earlier editions at Mumbai (2001) and Visakhapatnam (2016).
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the fleet from INS Sumedha, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), which served as the Presidential Yacht for the occasion.
Following a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by a 150-person contingent and a 21-Gun Salute, the President embarked onboard INS Sumedha and sailed past the assembled Fleet of 52 anchored ships off the Visakhapatnam coast. A total of 85 ships, including 19 foreign warships, participated in the fleet review, according to the Indian Navy. Ships and aircraft came from Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE, the USA, Vietnam, France and Germany, with the latter two contributing Atlantique 2 and P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The Indian fleet included 60 ships of the Indian Navy, four Indian Coast Guard vessels, and one ship each from the Shipping Corporation of India and the National Institute of Ocean Technology. The review also featured three Indian Navy submarines, one French Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft, and participation by over 60 aircraft.
The President also reviewed the Indian Naval Air Arm, marked by a fly-past of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. This was followed by a mobile column of warships and submarines steaming past the Presidential Yacht. The event further featured maritime and waterfront demonstrations, including a Parade of sails, Search and Rescue operations and aerial manoeuvres by Hawk aircraft.
“The spirit of friendship on display today through participation of so many friendly foreign countries highlights the truth that we are collected rather than divided by the seas. India’s approach to international relations, including the maritime domain, is guided by our ethos of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ or ‘the world is one family’. This approach reflects the wisdom that global security, growth, sustainability and stability are built through friendship,” the President said.
“International Fleet Reviews are not merely ceremonial displays; they serve as instruments of defence diplomacy. They promote cooperation in areas such as maritime safety, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, and coordinated responses to non-traditional maritime threats,” according to the SA Navy. “Through participation in the review and associated engagements, the SAN strengthened bilateral relations with India while engaging a broader community of navies committed to maintaining secure sea lines of communication and adherence to international maritime norms.”
The Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, attended senior leadership engagements with counterparts from participating nations, including high level maritime discussions focused on cooperation, information sharing, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. These engagements reinforced defence diplomacy objectives and strengthened relations with partner navies, the SA Navy said.
Following the completion of the International Fleet Review, India hosted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), which brought together 33 countries from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with India assuming IONS Chair.
India is currently busy with Exercise MILAN 2026 which runs from 18 to 25 February at Visakhapatnam and in the waters of the Bay of Bengal and includes a harbour phase, two-day International Maritime Seminar, and sea phase (21-25 February), aimed at improving interoperability and shared understanding among participating ships. SAS Amatola is currently taking part in the exercise along with other foreign warships.
As part of the harbour phase, delegates from foreign countries witnessed a demonstration of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) onboard the diving support vessel INS Nistar, highlighting the Indian Navy’s underwater rescue capabilities. In September 2024, South Africa and India implemented an agreement for – when and if needed – deployment of India’s DSRVs. The Indian Navy has two of the specialist rescue vessels on its asset register. The DSRVs can be either ship-mounted or air transportable with both options available to the maritime services of India and now, South Africa. Personnel trapped in submarines have three exits – using the escape hatch, escaping from torpedo tubes or rescue by DSRV.
“The deployment of SAS Amatola follows a period in which public discourse highlighted challenges relating to funding constraints and sea-going opportunities. Against this backdrop, the successful arrival and participation in the International Fleet Review stand as a practical demonstration of operational readiness and institutional resilience,” the SA Navy said.
“For the sailors on board, the deployment provides valuable exposure to multinational naval operations and maritime engagement. For South Africa, it reinforces national visibility within the maritime domain and affirms the country’s enduring interest in the security and stability of the oceans.”
This deployment of SAS Amatola also marked the first operational participation under her newly appointed Officer Commanding, Captain (SA Navy) Zanele Madiba. Madiba is the first female officer in the South African Navy to be appointed to command a frigate and, at Exercise MILAN 2026, the only female naval officer in command of a ship among the participating nations.
Her appointment drew notable recognition, including commendation from the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy when Vice Admiral Lobese formally introduced her.
“Through its participation, SAS Amatola continues to fly the South African flag abroad and strengthen international partnerships, demonstrating the South African Navy’s enduring commitment to maritime cooperation,” the SA Navy concluded.
