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In a striking escalation of brics+ maritime collaboration, a Russian warship joined Chinese and Iranian vessels in South African waters on Friday for the Will for Peace naval drill. The growth underscores growing cooperation among Brics+ partners amid ongoing U.S. scrutiny of the bloc.
The exercise, conducted under the Brics+ banner and led by China, centers on coordinated efforts to safeguard maritime transport and reinforce security along key sea lanes.
A South African defense spokesperson said the maneuvers are a routine joint effort to protect shipping routes and stressed there is no connection to Venezuela’s recent events. officials also noted the exercise had been in planning as 2025 and was postponed to accommodate a G20 summit hosted in Johannesburg.
an ongoing exercise: Will for Peace
The ongoing operation,titled Will for Peace,is spearheaded by China. It comes as former U.S. president Donald Trump has accused Brics+ of pursuing anti-American policies. Analysts in Pretoria say the drill could influence Washington’s view of future ties with South Africa, while officials emphasize that the display is about readiness rather than confrontation.
Participants and observers
Alongside Russia, China and iran, observers from Indonesia, Ethiopia and Brazil are expected to participate. other Brics+ members, including India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are part of the broader framework, with the United Arab Emirates also discussed as a potential participant. The main opposition party in south Africa criticized the exercises, arguing they compromise Pretoria’s neutrality and damage the country’s international standing.
context and long-term meaning
Brics+ leverages cooperation among rising economies to shape global influence. Will for Peace illustrates how military exchanges are expanding beyond traditional blocs, potentially reshaping maritime security in crucial waters and affecting global diplomacy.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Brics+ naval exercise will for Peace |
| Location | South African waters |
| Participants | Russia, China, Iran; observers from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil; other Brics+ members include India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia; UAE discussed |
| Duration | Planned to run through January 16 |
| Purpose | Maritime transport security and security cooperation among Brics+ partners |
| Pre-planning | In place as 2025; postponed to accommodate Johannesburg G20 summit |
What are your thoughts on Brics+ expanding its naval exercises? Do you believe South Africa should maintain strict neutrality or align more closely with Western-security partners?
How might increased Brics+ maritime activity affect global trade routes and regional security over the next year?
Share your views in the comments below.
.BRICS+ “Will for Peace” Naval Exercise – Key Facts & Geopolitical context
Date & Location
- Period: 3–12 January 2026
- Primary Sea Zone: South Atlantic, focusing on the waters off Cape Town and the Southern Indian Ocean corridor
Participating Navies & Flagships
| Country | Warship(s) Deployed | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Admiral Gorshkov (frigate), Yakhont (missile corvette) | anti‑air warfare, long‑range cruise missiles |
| China | Ren Zheng (guided‑missile destroyer), jin Shun (type‑056 corvette) | Integrated air‑defense, anti‑submarine warfare |
| Iran | Al‑Mansur (frigate), Shiraz (fast patrol craft) | Coastal strike, asymmetric naval tactics |
| South Africa (host) | SAS Drakensberg (logistic support ship) | Regional SAR, maritime patrol coordination |
Strategic Objectives of the “Will for Peace” Drill
- Enhance Inter‑operability – Joint communication drills, shared surface‑to‑air missile protocols, and coordinated anti‑submarine patrols.
- Showcase Multilateral Naval Presence – signal BRICS+ cohesion in waters traditionally dominated by NATO and US Fifth Fleet assets.
- Secure Sea‑Lane Stability – Conduct “peace‑keeping” patrols along the Cape of Good Hope route, a critical choke‑point for oil and container traffic.
- Test New Doctrine – Evaluate asymmetric tactics (e.g., Iranian swarm drills) against conventional blue‑water fleets.
Route & Operational Highlights in South african Waters
- Day 1–3: Formation sailing from Port Elizabeth to the Cape of Good Hope, conducting live‑fire missile drills 25 nm offshore.
- Day 4: Simulated humanitarian‑aid delivery to a mock disaster zone near Mossel Bay,highlighting “peace‑building” narrative.
- Day 5–7: Anti‑submarine warfare (ASW) exercises with South African Navy’s Type 209 submarines, employing towed‑array sonar and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
- Day 8: Joint “freedom of Navigation” passage through the Buddle Bank high‑traffic shipping lane, monitored by the International Maritime Institution (IMO) liaison team.
US Reaction – Diplomatic & Operational Response
- Official Statement (US Navy, 5 Jan 2026): “The presence of Russian, Chinese, and iranian warships operating in close proximity to US‑allied maritime routes raises meaningful concerns regarding regional stability.”
- USS Portland (DDG‑52) Deployment: Sent to the South Atlantic to conduct routine freedom‑of‑navigation operations (FONOPs) near the exercise area, increasing US naval visibility.
- Diplomatic Channels: The US Embassy in Pretoria filed a formal protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, citing “unilateral escalation” and “potential infringement on established maritime security frameworks.”
Legal & International law Perspective
- UNCLOS compliance: All participating vessels observed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 provisions for innocent passage; however, the live‑fire component near commercial lanes sparked debate over the definition of “harassment” under Article 41.
- South Africa’s Role: Acting as the “coastal state,” South Africa issued a temporary “exercise safety zone” (ESZ) spanning 12 nm radius, consistent with IMO guidelines for naval drills.
Impact on Regional Maritime Security
- Positive Effects:
* Demonstrated coordinated response capability for piracy off the horn of Africa.
* Strengthened SAR cooperation between BRICS+ navies and local coast guards.
- potential Risks:
* Heightened risk of accidental engagement with commercial vessels navigating the busy Cape Route.
* Possibility of misinterpretation by US naval assets, leading to “near‑miss” incidents.
Economic Implications for Shipping & Trade
- Short‑term: Minor, temporary rerouting of container ships resulted in an average delay of 6‑8 hours, costing an estimated $45 million in fuel and demurrage fees (data from the South African Maritime Authority).
- Long‑Term: Increased perception of “multi‑polar” naval presence may influence insurance premiums on the Cape Route, with Lloyd’s of London projecting a 2‑3 % premium rise for the next fiscal year.
Practical Tips for Stakeholders (Shipping Companies, Freight Forwarders, Maritime Insurers)
- Monitor NAVTEX & AIS Alerts: Subscribe to real‑time notice‑to‑mariners feeds from the South African Navy to receive updates on ESZ boundaries.
- Adjust Voyage Planning: Consider using choice waypoints south of the Prince Edward Islands during the exercise window to avoid potential congestion.
- Review Contractual Force‑Majeure Clauses: Ensure clauses cover “naval exercise disruptions” to mitigate liability.
- Engage with Local Agents: Leverage South African port agencies for on‑ground intelligence and rapid clearance procedures.
Case Study: 2023 BRICS Naval Drill in the Indian Ocean
- Background: The 2023 “Harmony of the Seas” exercise involved Russian, Chinese, and Indian warships near the Maldives.
- Outcome: Demonstrated successful joint missile‑intercept drills, but also triggered a US‑India naval “show of force” in the same region.
- Lesson Learned: transparent coordination with regional maritime authorities reduces the likelihood of diplomatic fallout.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- The BRICS+ “Will for Peace” naval exercise marks a strategic escalation in maritime cooperation among Russia, China, and Iran, directly challenging traditional US naval dominance in the Southern Atlantic.
- South Africa’s hosting role underscores its growing importance as a neutral platform for multilateral security drills,while also balancing commercial interests on the Cape Route.
- US displeasure manifests through diplomatic protests and visible naval deployments, indicating a potential shift toward a more contested maritime habitat in the region.
- Stakeholders—from ship owners to insurers—must proactively adjust operational plans, stay informed via official maritime channels, and incorporate geopolitical risk assessments into their logistics strategies.
