China, Russia and Iran began a week-long series of joint naval exercises in South African waters on Saturday, in manoeuvres described by the host nation as part of a BRICS Plus initiative aimed at protecting shipping routes and maritime economic activity.
The drills, named Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026, bring together naval forces from countries aligned with the expanded BRICS grouping, which South Africa says is focused on maritime safety and operational coordination.
BRICS Plus is an extension of the original BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—and now includes Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Member states view the grouping as a counterbalance to US-led economic and political influence.
Rising geopolitical backdrop
While South Africa regularly conducts naval exercises with both China and Russia, the timing of the drills comes amid strained relations between the administration of Donald Trump and several BRICS Plus members, including China, Iran, South Africa and Brazil.
Trump has previously accused BRICS nations of pursuing what he described as “anti-American” policies and last year warned member states they could face an additional 10 percent tariff on trade with the United States.
Chinese military officials attending the opening ceremony said Brazil, Egypt and Ethiopia were participating as observers, highlighting the broader international interest in the exercise.
South Africa defends participation
In a statement, South Africa’s military said the drills are designed to enhance cooperation through joint maritime security operations and interoperability training.
Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, told Reuters that all BRICS Plus members had been invited to take part.
The exercises have drawn criticism domestically. South Africa’s pro-Western Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s governing coalition, said the drills undermine the country’s declared neutrality and risk positioning South Africa as a pawn in global power rivalries.
Mathebula rejected that characterization, stressing that the operation is not politically motivated.
“This is not a political arrangement, and there is no hostility toward the United States,” he said, noting that South Africa also conducts periodic naval exercises with the US Navy.
The drills are set to continue through the week, with participating navies focusing on coordination, safety at sea and shared operational standards in one of the world’s busiest maritime regions.