Did China, Russia, Iran joint naval drills in South Africa mark notable Brics shift?

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Cao Jiaxuan,Jevans NyabiageJanuary 18, 2026 at 03:00 AM

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Naval drills involving China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa, dubbed "Will for Peace 2026," took place in South Africa from January 9th to January 12th. South Africa characterized the exercise as a maritime endeavor for BRICS Plus countries intended to enhance coordination among participating navies. While South Africa framed the drills as a statement of intent by BRICS nations, the US acknowledged monitoring the exercise closely. China stated the exercise aimed to deepen military cooperation among the participating countries. Analysts suggest the drills signal a potential shift for BRICS beyond economic cooperation, although some observers view them as largely symbolic and not indicative of a formal military alliance.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Captain Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha 40% Cape Town 50% South African National Defence Force 60% US Africa Command 65% United States ×275% Will for Peace 2026 ×280% Iran ×280% Russia ×285% China ×490% BRICS ×490% South Africa ×495%

Keywords

naval drills 100% brics 90% military exercise 70% south africa 70% iran 60% china 60% russia 60% maritime exercise 50% diplomatic statement 50% military cooperation 40%