South Africa’s January 9–16 “Will for Peace” naval drill is likely to further strain relations with the United States, which is at odds with several participating nations, according to a report by Agence France Presse.
AFP reporters observed two Chinese warships in Cape Town’s False Bay on Wednesday, followed by the arrival of an Iranian vessel a day later, while Russian ships are also expected to join the China-led exercise.
According to the South African National Defence Force, the drills are aimed at ensuring the safety of shipping routes and maritime economic activity, while strengthening cooperation on peaceful maritime security.
The exercise brings together navies from BRICS countries, a bloc that has expanded beyond its original members—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia.
Previously known as Exercise Mosi, the joint manoeuvres were postponed from November 2025 because they clashed with the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The drills come amid US criticism of South Africa’s close ties with Russia and China, echoing earlier backlash over similar exercises in 2023 that coincided with the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Two Iranian navy vessels, the 240m IRIS Shahid Mahdav and a corvette named Naghdi, off Simon’s Town before the BRICS-Plus naval Exercise Will for Peace begins on Friday, 9 January. (Photo: Brenton Geach)
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