South Africa Hosts BRICS Naval Exercises Off Cape Town

South Africa launched multinational naval exercises on Saturday off the coast of Cape Town, involving key BRICS allies including China, Russia, and Iran, amid heightened global maritime tensions. The weeklong drills, named Will for Peace 2026 and led by China, began on January 9 and are set to conclude on January 16. They focus on joint operations to secure shipping lanes and maritime economic activities in the Indian Ocean and Atlantic regions.

The maneuvers bring together naval forces from several nations. China and Iran each deployed destroyer warships, while Russia and the United Arab Emirates contributed corvette vessels. South Africa, serving as host, dispatched its frigate SAS Amatola. Brazil, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are participating as observers. Previously known as Exercise Mosi, the drills were originally scheduled for November near Cape Town but postponed due to South Africa's hosting of the G20 summit in Johannesburg that month. The event marks the third iteration of such cooperation among China, Russia, and South Africa, following initial joint naval exercises in 2019 and another round in 2023.

South African officials emphasized the exercises as a demonstration of...