Joint Maritime Exercises Begin Amid Global Political Tensions
China, Russia, and Iran have launched a week-long joint naval exercise in South African waters under the banner of “BRICS Plus.” The drills began on Saturday and are being hosted by South Africa, which has described the operation as routine and non-political.
According to South Africa’s military, the exercises aim to strengthen maritime safety and protect shipping routes and economic activities at sea. Officials said the focus is on cooperation, information sharing, and improving operational coordination among participating navies.
The drills come at a sensitive time in global geopolitics. Relations between the United States and several BRICS Plus countries remain strained. These tensions have increased scrutiny around joint military activities involving China, Russia, and Iran.
Despite the criticism, South African authorities insist the exercises are technical in nature and should not be viewed through a political lens.
What Is BRICS Plus and Who Is Involved
BRICS Plus is an expanded version of the original BRICS bloc. The original group included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was formed to promote economic cooperation and provide an alternative to Western-dominated global systems.
The expanded BRICS Plus grouping now includes six additional countries. These are Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion reflects the bloc’s growing influence and ambition in global affairs.
Chinese military officials leading the opening ceremony confirmed that Brazil, Egypt, and Ethiopia are participating as observers. South African defence officials stated that all BRICS Plus members were invited to take part in the naval drills.
The exercise has been named “Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026.” According to the South African National Defence Force, it includes joint maritime safety operations, search and rescue drills, and interoperability exercises.
South Africa has previously conducted naval drills with both China and Russia. Officials say these exercises are part of routine defence cooperation and capacity building.
US Criticism and South Africa’s Response
The naval drills have drawn criticism from Washington. Former US President Donald Trump has accused BRICS nations of pursuing what he called “anti-American” policies. Earlier this year, he threatened BRICS members with an additional 10 percent trade tariff on top of existing duties.
Trump’s comments have heightened global attention on BRICS Plus activities. Several member states, including China, Iran, South Africa, and Brazil, have faced diplomatic friction with the United States.
Within South Africa, the exercises have also sparked political debate. The Democratic Alliance, the country’s second-largest party and a member of the governing coalition, criticised the drills. The party said the exercises contradict South Africa’s declared neutrality and risk aligning the country with controversial global actors.
The Democratic Alliance warned that BRICS activities could turn South Africa into a pawn in international power struggles.
South African military officials strongly rejected these claims. Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, said the exercises are purely professional and defensive in nature.
She stressed that South Africa has also held naval drills with the United States in the past. According to her, the goal is to improve maritime capabilities and ensure regional sea security, not to signal hostility toward any country.
Officials maintain that South Africa remains committed to balanced foreign relations while continuing to engage in multilateral defence cooperation.
