South Africa’s navy began joint naval exercises on Saturday with warships from China, Russia and Iran—maneuvers that Pretoria insists are not a show of force but an indispensable response to rising maritime tensions.
The exercises, called “Will for Peace 2026”, are led by China and are open to BRICS+ members, bringing together several countries often positioned as adversaries of the United States for a week‑long program.
They started just after the United States seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker, claiming it was carrying crude bound for Venezuela, Russia and Iran in violation of Western sanctions.
Essential Cooperation
“These exercises are a demonstration of our collective determination to work together,” said Captain Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, one of the commanders of the joint operational force deployed for the drills.
“In an increasingly complex maritime environment, such cooperation is not optional— it is essential,” he added, noting that the maneuvers are intended to “ensure the safety of shipping routes and maritime economic activity.”
BRICS+
The BRICS+ group—originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—has expanded in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and, more recently, Indonesia.
China and Iran deployed destroyers, while Russia and the United Arab Emirates sent corvettes. The South African host provided a frigate.
