China, Russia and Iran have launched a week-long series of joint naval exercises in South African waters. This marks a major BRICS Plus operation focused on maritime security. South Africa, the host nation, said the drills aim to ensure the safety of shipping lanes and protect maritime economic activities.
BRICS Plus is an expanded version of the original BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping has widened to include Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Member states view the bloc as a platform to balance U.S. and Western economic influence.
Although South Africa regularly conducts naval exercises with China and Russia, the timing of the drills is notable. They come amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and several BRICS Plus countries. These countries include China, Iran, South Africa, and Brazil.
🚨🇷🇺🇨🇳🇮🇷Russia, China, and Iran have launched a week-long naval exercise in South African waters under the name “BRICS Plus operation.”
The drills aim to ensure the safety of shipping routes and maritime economic activities. pic.twitter.com/HBt1htWU0r
— The Saviour (@TheSaviour) January 10, 2026Chinese military officials, speaking at the opening ceremony, said Brazil, Egypt and Ethiopia were participating as observers. South Africa’s military said the exercise, titled “Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026,” brings together BRICS Plus navies. The goal is for joint maritime safety operations and interoperability training.
Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, said all BRICS Plus members had been invited to take part. He added that the drills focused on professional cooperation at sea rather than politics.
President Trump has previously accused BRICS nations of pursuing anti-American policies. In January, he warned member states of a potential 10% trade tariff. This would be in addition to duties already imposed on several countries.
In South Africa, the pro-Western Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s coalition, criticised the exercises. The party said the drills contradicted South Africa’s stated neutrality. It also claimed they risked turning the country into a pawn in global power rivalries.
Mathebula dismissed the criticism, stressing that the exercises were not politically motivated. He said South Africa also conducts naval drills with the United States. This underscores its policy of engaging with multiple partners to strengthen maritime readiness.
