Quick answer: In October 2026 the Indian Navy ran three overseas exercises at the same time on three continents: KONKAN-26 with the UK’s Royal Navy off Plymouth (Europe), IBSAMAR IX with Brazil and South Africa at Simon’s Town (Africa), and INDRA 2026 with Russia at Vladivostok and in the Sea of Japan (Asia). The frigates INS Trishul, INS Tarkash and INS Sahyadri took part, and all three exercises ended between 15 and 20 October 2026.
Why the Navy’s three-continent deployment is in the news
On 13 October 2026, The Tribune reported that three Indian frigates were on separate deployments at the same time, carrying out drills with partner navies from Europe, Africa, South America and Russia. The Ministry of Defence later issued releases on each exercise as it concluded. KONKAN-26 ended off Plymouth on 15 October. INS Sahyadri left Vladivostok on 20 October after INDRA 2026, and IBSAMAR IX closed at Simon’s Town on 20 October, according to a Ministry release reported by DD India. Together they show the Navy’s ability to keep ships deployed far from home waters at the same time.
Key facts: the three exercises at a glance
| Exercise | Partner(s) | Indian ship | Partner ships | Where and when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KONKAN-26 | United Kingdom | INS Trishul (stealth frigate) | HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate | Off Plymouth, UK; 8-15 October 2026 (sea phase 12-15 October) |
| IBSAMAR IX | Brazil and South Africa | INS Tarkash with a Chetak helicopter | BNS Barroso (Brazil); SAS Amatola, two patrol vessels and the submarine SAS Manthatisi (South Africa) | Simon’s Town, South Africa; harbour phase from 8 October, concluded 20 October 2026 |
| INDRA 2026 | Russia | INS Sahyadri (stealth frigate) | Russian Navy ship Aldar Tsydenzhapov | Harbour phase at Vladivostok, sea phase in the Sea of Japan; naval part 13-18 October 2026 |
What happened in each exercise
KONKAN-26 (India-UK): The exercise was run by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards and Training organisation. The four-day sea phase covered seamanship, tactical manoeuvres, communication drills, anti-submarine warfare, defence against small fast craft and weapon firings. The Ministry of Defence linked it to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership set out in the India-UK Vision 2035. India’s High Commissioner to the UK, P Kumaran, visited INS Trishul during the port stay.
IBSAMAR IX (India-Brazil-South Africa): This trilateral exercise has been held every two years since 2008 under the IBSA Dialogue Forum. The 2026 theme was “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain”. The sea phase included surface warfare, anti-air firings, submarine-tracking serials against SAS Manthatisi, boarding drills (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure), anti-piracy and search-and-rescue procedures. South African Air Force Gripen fighters also supported the drills.
INDRA 2026 (India-Russia): The naval component had a harbour phase with cross-deck visits and expert exchanges, followed by a sea phase with coordinated manoeuvres, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills. The Ministry said INS Sahyadri’s participation was in line with India’s MAHASAGAR vision. The wider INDRA exercise also had a land component in Russia that continued until 23 October.
Why this matters
- Reach: keeping three frontline frigates on separate long deployments at once shows sustained “blue-water” capability.
- Balanced partnerships: India exercised with a Western partner (UK), with fellow Global South democracies (Brazil, South Africa) and with Russia in the same fortnight.
- Interoperability: each exercise focused on common procedures, which help in joint anti-piracy, search-and-rescue and disaster-relief work.
Exam angle: how NDA, CDS and CAPF can ask this
- Exercise-partner matching is among the most frequent defence GK questions: KONKAN (UK), INDRA (Russia), IBSAMAR (Brazil and South Africa), VARUNA (France), MALABAR (USA, Japan, Australia).
- Know the ship classes: INS Trishul and INS Tarkash are Talwar-class frigates; INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class frigate built in India.
- Geography: Simon’s Town, on False Bay in the Cape Town area, hosts South Africa’s largest naval base; Vladivostok, on the Sea of Japan, is the capital of Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District.
- Groupings: IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) is different from BRICS; expect statement-type questions on this.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Exercise KONKAN is conducted between India and which country?
(a) France (b) United Kingdom (c) Russia (d) Japan
Answer: (b) — KONKAN is the India-UK naval exercise.
Q2. Which Indian ship took part in IBSAMAR IX in 2026?
(a) INS Tarkash (b) INS Trishul (c) INS Sahyadri (d) INS Vikrant
Answer: (a) — INS Tarkash sailed with an integral Chetak helicopter.
Q3. The sea phase of naval exercise INDRA 2026 was held in which water body?
(a) Baltic Sea (b) Black Sea (c) Sea of Japan (d) Bay of Bengal
Answer: (c) — the harbour phase was at Vladivostok and the sea phase in the Sea of Japan.
Q4. IBSAMAR is held under which grouping?
(a) BRICS (b) IBSA Dialogue Forum (c) IORA (d) Quad
Answer: (b) — it is conducted under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) framework.
Frequently asked questions
Which exercises did the Indian Navy hold on three continents in October 2026?
KONKAN-26 with the UK off Plymouth, IBSAMAR IX with Brazil and South Africa at Simon’s Town, and INDRA 2026 with Russia at Vladivostok and in the Sea of Japan.
Which Indian warships were involved?
INS Trishul in KONKAN-26, INS Tarkash in IBSAMAR IX and INS Sahyadri in INDRA 2026.
How often is IBSAMAR held?
IBSAMAR has been held every two years since 2008; the 2026 exercise was the ninth edition.
When did the exercises end?
KONKAN-26 ended on 15 October 2026, while IBSAMAR IX concluded and INS Sahyadri left Vladivostok on 20 October 2026.
Which British ship took part in KONKAN-26?
The Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine warfare frigate.
Also read on NCA: JAIMEX: INS Sahyadri with Japan | India-South Korea naval exercise | Monthly defence current affairs PDFs | NDA coaching in Chandigarh
Sources: The Tribune, AIR News (KONKAN-26), AIR News (INDRA 2026), DD India, idrw.org, GKToday (IBSAMAR IX), GKToday (INDRA 2026). Facts as reported up to 3 November 2026.
Featured image background (representative): Indian Navy / Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India.
