South Africa to Host First China — Led BRICS Joint Navy Exercises. Johannesburg, South Africa — The first China-led BRICS joint naval exercise is scheduled to commence on Friday in South African waters.
The exercise, themed “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities, “marks a significant development in the defense cooperation among the BRICS nations, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and five additional countries: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa has not publicly identified the participating countries, but medireports suggest that Russia and Iran will take part in the exercises. This marks the first time the joint naval exercise has been held under the BRICS banner, and it is expected to raise concerns among Western nations, particularly as the bloc initiates its first defense cooperation effort.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the event, which was previously known as Exercise Mosi and has been held before, but never under the auspices of BRICS.
The exercise is set to take place from January 9 to 16, 2026.
According to reports, the joint drills are intended to enhance maritime safety operations, interoperability drills, and maritime protection serials among the participating navies.
The involvement of Iran, which is under international sanctions and is engaged in active conflicts, has been particularly controversial, with some military experts suggesting that the exercise has more downsides than upsides for South Africa.
The United States has expressed concerns about any country engaging in military exercises with Russia, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. South Africa’s government, however, has maintained a neutral stance on the issue, emphasizing that the country regularly hosts similar drills with other nations, including France and the United States. Further details regarding the specific activities and the extent of participation are expected to be released as the exercise progresses.
The outcome of the drills and their implications for regional and international security dynamics are likely to be closely monitored.
Sources: MSN, BBC, Daily Maverick, South China Morning Post, Walaw Press.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
