India and South Africa Forge Deeper Naval Alliance Through Submarine Cooperation

In a significant leap forward for maritime defence ties, India and South Africa have signed two crucial agreements centred around submarine cooperation. This development took place during the 9th India–South Africa Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting, held over two days in Johannesburg. These agreements not only reflect mutual trust but also lay the groundwork for enhanced maritime security collaboration between two major players in the Indian Ocean Region.

Strategic Dialogue Reinforces Historic Ties

The high-level defence dialogue was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and South Africa’s Acting Secretary for Defence Thobekile Gamede. The discussions marked a continuation of defence engagement that dates back to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 1996, later revised in 2000 to address evolving regional and global challenges. Both sides acknowledged the historical bond rooted in shared anti-colonial struggles and reiterated their intent to expand the scope of their defence relationship.

India, South Africa exchange agreements in domain of submarine cooperation | Hindustan Times

Key Agreements in Submarine Cooperation

The most notable outcome of the talks was the exchange of two agreements in the domain of submarine operations and support. The first agreement pertains to technical cooperation, focusing on joint operational training, enhanced interoperability, and knowledge sharing between the naval forces. The second agreement is tied to submarine rescue — a critical area of defence preparedness — and builds upon an Implementing Agreement signed in September 2024 between the Indian and South African Navies.

India, which operates advanced Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs), has committed to supporting South Africa in submarine emergency response scenarios. These Indian DSRVs are capable of conducting rescues at depths up to 650 meters and can carry up to 14 personnel per sortie. The partnership ensures that in the event of a submarine mishap, the Indian Navy can rapidly deploy these vehicles via air or sea to support South African operations, significantly enhancing regional underwater rescue capabilities.

Joint Training and Operational Integration

Prior to the formal signing of these agreements, both nations had already taken concrete steps toward joint underwater defence collaboration. In May 2025, Indian naval personnel participated in the first joint submarine operational sea training exercise at Simon’s Town, a key naval base in South Africa. This training focused on real-world tactical drills, including emergency preparedness and submarine navigation in contested waters.

The practical nature of these exercises reflects an evolving military dynamic — one that goes beyond ceremonial diplomacy and focuses on real-time capability development. These activities not only contribute to operational readiness but also build a framework for future joint patrols, humanitarian missions, and defence technology cooperation.

Reinforcing the Indian Ocean Strategic Landscape

India’s growing stature as a defence exporter and maritime security provider is evident in its engagements with multiple Indian Ocean littoral states. South Africa, with its strategic location at the confluence of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, offers a crucial maritime partner in ensuring regional stability. By investing in submarine cooperation and underwater rescue preparedness, both countries are positioning themselves to respond more effectively to maritime crises, piracy threats, and humanitarian challenges in the broader region.

The inclusion of submarine cooperation as a pillar of this defence partnership signals a recognition of the increasingly complex security environment in underwater domains. As submarine technology becomes more advanced and critical for national security, such collaboration allows for joint innovation, shared learning, and coordinated surveillance operations across vast maritime zones.

Looking Ahead: Toward a Deeper Defence Partnership

India and South Africa’s evolving naval alliance is part of a broader strategic vision. The JDC meeting concluded with plans to further expand joint training activities, enhance technology sharing, and explore co-development projects in naval systems. Both countries expressed commitment to maintaining regular dialogue and reviews through defence sub-committees focused on policy, acquisitions, and R&D.

The next phase of this partnership could likely include greater engagement in multinational maritime exercises, coordinated anti-piracy missions, and closer alignment on Indo-Pacific maritime strategy. With India’s “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) doctrine and South Africa’s increasing defence cooperation with BRICS partners, both countries are poised to become anchors of security in the Southern Hemisphere.

Conclusion

The recent submarine cooperation agreements between India and South Africa mark a turning point in their strategic relationship. More than just symbolic gestures, these accords reflect an emerging alliance rooted in shared interests, mutual respect, and a commitment to safeguarding maritime domains. As geopolitical currents shift and the undersea theatre becomes increasingly vital to national security, partnerships like this one will be essential to maintaining peace, stability, and sovereignty across the Indo–South Atlantic maritime corridor.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, The Print)