Russia Joins China and Iran in 'Will for Peace 2026' Naval Drills Off South Africa

Multinational Naval Drills Commence in South African Waters

Russian warships have officially joined naval exercises alongside vessels from China and Iran off the coast of South Africa. The drills, officially named 'Will for Peace 2026', are taking place near the Simon's Town naval base in False Bay, close to Cape Town, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. The exercises, which commenced on January 9, 2026, are scheduled to conclude on January 16, 2026.

This marks the third iteration of these joint naval exercises, following previous drills in 2019 and 2023. Originally planned for November 2025, the exercises were postponed due to a scheduling conflict with the G20 summit held in Johannesburg.

Participating Vessels and Stated Objectives

The 'Will for Peace 2026' drills are being led by China. Key naval assets participating include:

• China: The guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (D122) and the replenishment ship Taihu (K889).
• Russia: The Steregushchiy Class corvette Stoykiy (F545), equipped with a Ka-27PL ASW helicopter, and the Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168).
• Iran: The expeditionary sea base IRIS Makran (441) and the corvette IRIS Naghdi (82), part of its 103rd Flotilla.
• South Africa: The frigate SAS Amatola (F145).

The stated theme for the exercises is 'Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities'. According to the South African National Defence Force, the drills aim 'to exchange best practices and improve joint operational capabilities, which contributes to the safety of shipping routes and overall regional maritime stability'. Specific activities include drills on counter-terrorism rescue, maritime strike operations, anti-piracy tactics, and search and rescue operations.

Geopolitical Context and Reactions

The exercises involve navies from the BRICS+ group of emerging nations, which now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates alongside original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. While the UAE is expected to send ships, and Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Brazil will send observers, the primary participants are Russia, China, and Iran.

The timing of these drills has drawn significant international attention and criticism, particularly from Western countries, given heightened geopolitical tensions. South African Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa stated that the exercises were 'planned long before these tensions we are witnessing today', emphasizing that the participating nations are 'not our enemies'. South African officials maintain that the drills are focused on maritime security and cooperation, rather than making political statements.