The South African National Defence Force has confirmed that the country will host a multinational naval exercise with BRICS-Plus nations from January 9 to 16, 2026, led by China. Named Exercise Will for Peace, the event focuses on maritime safety and cooperation. Participation by Iran and Russia is expected to spark controversy among experts and politicians.
South Africa is set to host Exercise Will for Peace 2026, a joint naval drill involving BRICS-Plus countries, from January 9 to 16 in its waters. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced the event, which China will lead and which emphasizes "joint actions to ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities." This follows previous Mosi exercises in 2019 and 2023, involving South Africa, Russia, and China.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and protect maritime routes through drills on safety operations and protection serials. While the SANDF did not list all participants, reports suggest Russia, China, and Iran will join actively. Iran's Rear Admiral Shahram Irani stated that the 103rd flotilla is en route for the exercise, with the 104th escorting commercial ships. Indonesia and Ethiopia may observe, though Ethiopia's landlocked status limits its involvement to personnel.
BRICS-Plus includes Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia invited. However, Brazil and India are not expected to participate, raising questions about the exercise's BRICS branding. Military analyst Darren Olivier noted, "It’s a BRICS exercise in name only. There’s no mechanism within BRICS to plan, organise or execute a military exercise."
Critics highlight geopolitical risks. Olivier warned that aligning closely with Iran, Russia, and China is "not smart geopolitics," potentially straining ties with India and Brazil. Independent expert Hemoed Heitman described it as a "hyped-up basic manoeuvres" event with "very little upside, lots of scary downside," alienating key trading partners. Democratic Alliance spokesperson Chris Hattingh argued it undermines South Africa's non-alignment policy, stating, "Hosting the military forces of Iran and Russia is not neutral. These are sanctioned states involved in active conflicts and serious human rights abuses."
The exercise was postponed from November 2025 to avoid clashing with the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The SANDF defends such engagements as part of broader multilateral relations, citing past drills with countries like the United States and France.
