Did China, Russia, Iran joint naval drills in South Africa signal a Brics shift?
Observers describe high-profile exercise involving economic grouping as largely symbolic rather than step towards military alliance
The “Will for Peace 2026” drills were launched at a port in Cape Town on January 9 and ran until Friday, according to the South African National Defence Force.
Pretoria has described the manoeuvres as a maritime exercise for Brics Plus countries and aimed at improving coordination and operational familiarity among the navies taking part.
At the opening ceremony, South African joint task force commander Captain Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha said the drills were “more than a military exercise” and represented a statement of intent by Brics countries.
The event caught the attention of the US. According to a Wall Street Journal report on January 11, US Africa Command said Washington was keeping a close watch on the drills to safeguard its interests.
