Indian Navy Chief Concludes Productive Visit to Brazil, Bolstering Maritime Ties and Defence Cooperation

High-Level Engagements Strengthen Bilateral Maritime Partnership

Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy, concluded a significant four-day official visit to Brazil from December 9 to 12, 2025. The visit aimed at consolidating and expanding the robust maritime partnership between the Indian and Brazilian navies, a crucial component of the broader India-Brazil Strategic Partnership.

During his visit, Admiral Tripathi held extensive discussions with key Brazilian leadership. These included meetings with Defence Minister José Múcio, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Commander of the Brazilian Navy Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil Celso Amorim.

Key Outcomes: Submarine Cooperation and Joint Shipbuilding

A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL). This agreement focuses on the exchange of information related to the maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines and other naval vessels. The MoU is expected to enhance life-cycle support, facilitate experience sharing in maintenance, logistics, and training, and foster collaboration between the defence industries and government agencies of both nations.

Furthermore, discussions led to the finalization of two major naval cooperation proposals: a Scorpène submarine cooperation framework, designed to standardize maintenance protocols and enhance MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) support, and a joint shipbuilding arrangement. The latter envisages co-production of naval platforms, such as patrol vessels and auxiliaries, at a Brazilian shipyard for both domestic use and export.

Focus on Operational Linkages and Global Security

The deliberations during Admiral Tripathi's visit provided a comprehensive review of the expanding India-Brazil defence engagements. Key areas of focus included augmenting strategic cooperation, strengthening joint operational frameworks, enhancing training avenues, and deepening coordination in Maritime Domain Awareness.

Both sides also explored opportunities in defence industry collaboration, technology development, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives to support long-term interoperability and shared security objectives. Discussions extended to regional and global dynamics, encompassing the South Atlantic, the broader Indo-Pacific, and the collective role of the Global South, underscoring a shared commitment to a rules-based international order.

Admiral Tripathi's itinerary also included visits to Brazilian operational commands, naval bases, and shipyards along Brazil's southeastern coast, notably the Itaguai Naval Complex in Rio de Janeiro. Here, he was briefed on Brazil's PROSUB submarine programme, further reinforcing India's commitment to strengthening maritime industrial engagement.