A challenge in African waters: China, Russia and Iran launch naval drills

10th January 2026

1 minute read

A challenge in African waters: China, Russia and Iran launch naval drills

China, Russia and Iran have begun naval drills in South African waters, exercises that previously sparked anger in the United States and were described by its president as “hostile”.

On Saturday, the three countries launched a week-long series of joint naval maneuvers in South African waters, in what the host country described as a “BRICS Plus” operation aimed at “ensuring the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”.

“BRICS Plus” represents an expansion of the geopolitical bloc originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Member states view it as a counterweight to American and Western economic dominance. The “BRICS Plus” framework includes six additional countries.

South Africa routinely conducts naval exercises with China and Russia. However, these maneuvers come at a time of rising tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and several BRICS Plus countries, including China, Iran, South Africa and Brazil.

Chinese military officials leading the opening ceremony said that Brazil, Egypt and Ethiopia were participating as observers.

“Will for Peace 2026”

In a statement, the South African military said that the drills, titled “Will for Peace 2026”, bring together naval forces from BRICS Plus countries “for joint maritime security operations and interoperability training”.

Lieutenant Colonel Empo Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, told Reuters that all member states had been invited.

Donald Trump has accused BRICS countries of pursuing policies “hostile to the United States” and threatened in January to impose additional tariffs of 10 percent on all members.