US EditionSouth Africa’s Joint Drills a Show of Influence in the Indian Ocean
The week-long drills, branded 'Will for Peace,' involve a modest number of ships and aim to challenge Western dominance while protecting key maritime routes, officials said.
- On Friday, South Africa launched a weeklong naval exercise off Cape Town led by China and hosting Russia and Iran in the rebranded Mosi‑3, called `Will for Peace`.
- Driven by ambitions to counter Western influence, the exercise signals determination to project influence in southern Africa as Russia seeks African ties to offset sanctions while China leverages longstanding economic links.
- Ship manifests show Russia's corvette with helicopter and Iran's 103rd flotilla, while South Africa and partners dispatched smaller warships and observers; the French military monitors nearby waters.
- US officials have criticised the exercises and signalled potential economic measures, while South Africa defended the weeklong drills as "essential" to ensure maritime safety amid Washington's 10‑percent tariff warning.
- With shipping rerouted from the Red Sea, partners assert presence around the Cape of Good Hope, while China expands infrastructure via Belt and Road and Moscow seeks to secure its shadow fleet transit.
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The South African Navy has begun joint naval exercises with China, Russia and Iran, which it denies to be a demonstration of force.
TVA Nouvelles
MARINE & OCÉANSThe South African Navy began joint naval exercises on Saturday with ships from China, Russia and Iran.
South Africa (SA) began joint naval exercises with Russia, Iran and China on Saturday, calling the maneuvers a necessary response to rising tensions on the world's oceans.
South Africa has become the epicenter of a new demonstration of alternative geopolitical alignments to the West. From this weekend, warships from China, Russia and Iran participate alongside the South African navy in the naval exercises "Peace Will 2026", an operation that will take place until January 16 in waters near Simon's Town, strategic naval base where the Atlantic and Indian oceans converge.Read more]]>
In front of South Africa, Chinese, Russian and Iranian warships practice joint maneuvers. Which states from the Brics Plus alliance are still present is unclear.
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