Archive · 10 Jan 2026
BRICS Plus Naval Drills Begin in South Africa
China, Russia, and Iran have started a naval exercise called 'Will for Peace 2026' in South Africa's waters.
This exercise is part of the BRICS Plus group, which includes other countries like Brazil, Egypt, and Indonesia.
The goal is to practice keeping the seas safe and working together.
The United States has criticized these exercises, saying they are against America.
Some people in South Africa also disagree, saying it goes against their neutrality.
But South Africa says it's just about improving their naval skills and sharing information.
The exercises are not meant to be hostile towards the U.S.
China, Russia, and Iran began a week of joint naval exercises in South Africa's waters as part of the BRICS Plus group.
The exercises, called 'Will for Peace 2026', aim to ensure maritime safety and strengthen cooperation among participating navies.
BRICS Plus includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and the UAE.
The United States has criticized the exercises, with President Donald Trump labeling BRICS as 'anti-American' and threatening trade tariffs.
South Africa has faced domestic criticism for hosting the drills, with some arguing it contradicts the country's stated neutrality.
- Who
- Navies from China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, and expected participation from the UAE, with observers from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Egypt
- What
- A week-long naval exercise called 'Will for Peace 2026'
- When
- Scheduled to continue until next Friday
- Where
- Off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, with ships gathering at the naval base in Simon’s Town
- Why
- To practice maritime safety, anti-piracy operations, and strengthen cooperation among BRICS Plus member countries
- Exercise Name
- Will for Peace 2026
- Lead Nation
- China
- Participating Nations
- China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, UAE (expected), Observers: Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Egypt
- Duration
- One week
- Location
- Off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa
- Purpose
- Maritime safety, anti-piracy operations, strengthening cooperation
- US President
- Donald Trump
- US Criticism
- Labelled BRICS as 'anti-American' and threatened trade tariffs
- BRICS Plus Members
- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, UAE
