In a bold display of naval power, warships from China, Russia, and Iran have converged on South Africa’s Simon’s Town naval base for the ‘Will for Peace 2026’ joint exercises. Launched on Saturday, this BRICS Plus operation underscores a growing alliance aimed at safeguarding maritime trade routes and projecting global stability, even as U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric casts a long shadow.
South Africa’s Defense Department announced that China is leading the drills, which will run until January 16. Hosted at the strategic Simon’s Town base, the maneuvers bring together expanded BRICS nations—including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates—to enhance interoperability and secure shipping lanes critical to the global economy.
This gathering arrives at a fraught moment. Trump’s administration has accused BRICS countries of anti-American policies, threatening 10% additional tariffs on their exports last January. Tensions have simmered with China, Iran, South Africa, and Brazil, amplifying geopolitical divides.
Observers note Brazil, Egypt, and Ethiopia participated as observers during the opening ceremony. South African military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula emphasized to Reuters that the exercise is purely professional: ‘It’s not political. There’s no animosity toward anyone.’ South Africa routinely conducts drills with both Russian and Chinese navies, and has done so with the U.S. Navy as well.
Key vessels on site include China’s CNS Tangshan destroyer (122), fleet oiler CNS Taihu (889), Iran’s Iris Makran expeditionary sea base (441), and South Africa’s SAS Amatola frigate (F145). Images released by the South African National Defence Force captured their arrival, signaling seamless coordination.
Critics within South Africa’s ruling coalition have decried the drills as undermining the nation’s neutrality, positioning it as a pawn in international rivalries. Mathebula dismissed such claims, framing the event as a capability-building exercise focused on joint maritime safety operations.
As Western dominance in global finance faces challenges from this bloc, these drills signal BRICS Plus’s intent to assert influence over vital sea lanes. With Trump’s return to power looming large, the world watches whether this ‘will for peace’ will foster dialogue or deepen divides. The exercises conclude amid heightened scrutiny, reminding us that naval power remains a cornerstone of modern geopolitics.