China to lead BRICS naval drills with Iran in South Africa

Saturday 03 January 2026 - 11:55

By: Dakir Madiha

China to lead BRICS naval drills with Iran in South Africa

South Africa will host a multinational naval exercise from January 9 to 16, marking the first joint maritime operation involving BRICS Plus nations and Iran. Dubbed "Will for Peace 2026," the drills will be led by China, bringing together navies from BRICS Plus countries for maritime security operations and interoperability training in South African waters. The South African National Defence Force confirmed the event in a December 29 statement, though it did not detail all participating nations. Reports suggest involvement from Russia, Iran, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Iran's debut in the exercise represents a shift from previous iterations. Tehran has deployed its 103rd and 104th flotillas to South Africa, with the 103rd assigned specifically to the BRICS drills, according to Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani. Earlier exercises, known as Mosi, were organized by China, South Africa, and Russia in 2019 and 2023.

The Democratic Alliance, a key party in South Africa's coalition government, has voiced strong objections, arguing the event undermines the country's declared non-alignment policy. "Hosting military forces from Iran and Russia is not neutral. These are sanctioned states engaged in active conflicts and serious human rights violations," said Chris Hattingh, the party's defense spokesperson.

The drills unfold amid strained relations between South Africa and the United States. In November 2025, President Donald Trump announced that South Africa would be excluded from the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, citing alleged human rights abuses against white farmers a claim dismissed by South African officials. Trump also suspended U.S. aid and imposed 30 percent tariffs on South African goods.

Military analysts question the exercise's branding as a BRICS initiative, noting the absence of India and Brazil from prior events. "It's a BRICS exercise in name only. There is no mechanism within BRICS to plan, organize, or execute a military exercise," said Darren Olivier of African Defence Review. The South African Defense Ministry emphasized the theme of joint actions to secure navigation and maritime economic activities. Originally slated for November 2025, the exercise was postponed to avoid overlapping with the G20 summit in Johannesburg.