Multinational Naval Exercise Underway in South Africa
A significant multinational naval exercise, dubbed 'Will for Peace 2026', is currently underway in South African waters, bringing together naval forces from China, Russia, and Iran. The drills, which commenced on January 9 and are scheduled to conclude on January 16, 2026, are being led by China and involve participants from the expanded BRICS Plus group of nations.
The exercise, previously known as 'Mosi III' before its renaming and rescheduling from November 2025 due to a clash with the G20 summit, is focused on 'Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities'. According to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), this theme 'reflects the collective commitment of all participating navies to safeguard maritime trade routes, enhance shared operational procedures and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives'.
Participating Vessels and Objectives
Warships from the three nations have gathered off the coast of South Africa, with sightings reported in Cape Town's False Bay harbor. Key participating vessels include:
- China: The Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (D122) and the Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu (K889).
- Russia: The Steregushchiy Class corvette Stoykiy (F545), equipped with a Ka-27PL anti-submarine warfare helicopter, and the Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168).
- Iran: Vessels from the Iranian Navy's 103rd Flotilla, including the corvette IRIS Naghdi (82) and the expeditionary sea base IRIS Shahid Mahdavi (L110-3).
- South Africa: The South African Navy frigate SAS Amatola (F145).
The drills are designed to foster interoperability and coordination among the participating navies in various maritime security scenarios.
Geopolitical Context and International Reaction
The 'Will for Peace 2026' exercise has garnered international attention and some criticism, particularly from Western nations. Critics argue that hosting such drills, especially with Russia and Iran, represents a 'political choice' by South Africa and contradicts its stated neutrality, given Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Iran's international standing. South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) party, part of the ruling government coalition, has called for a full parliamentary briefing on the exercise, questioning its costs, command structure, and diplomatic implications.
Despite the criticism, participating nations emphasize the drills' focus on enhancing maritime security and economic activities, framing them as routine naval cooperation. This exercise marks a continuation of joint naval engagements between South Africa, China, and Russia, with the first such trilateral exercise, 'Mosi I', taking place in 2019, followed by 'Mosi II' in February 2023.
5 Comments
Bella Ciao
These drills undoubtedly enhance operational procedures for participants, which is a positive aspect for naval capabilities. Yet, the optics of this grouping in South African waters will certainly be interpreted by some as a challenge to the existing international order, regardless of stated intentions.
Muchacho
South Africa is asserting its sovereignty and choosing its own allies. Good for them!
Comandante
This seriously undermines South Africa's credibility and neutrality on the world stage. A terrible decision.
Kyle Broflovski
China leading is a clear sign of a new, multipolar world order emerging. The West isn't the only power.
Africa
South Africa has every right to choose its partners for naval exercises, reinforcing its independent foreign policy. But, the domestic criticism from parties like the DA highlights legitimate concerns about costs and diplomatic fallout.