The Will for Peace 2026 maritime exercise officially launched on Saturday 10 January, with an Opening Parade at Naval Base Simon’s Town in Cape Town, signalling a significant expansion of maritime security cooperation within the BRICS Plus framework.
The exercise brings together navies from South Africa, China, Russia, Iran, and other BRICS Plus members, signalling a major expansion of maritime security cooperation, but it has also sparked debate.
Critics warn that hosting Chinese, Russian and Iranian warships could compromise South Africa’s non-aligned foreign-policy stance and strain relations with Western partners, particularly the United States. Supporters, however, emphasise that the exercise is focused solely on maritime safety, joint operations, and interoperability.
Led by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and hosted by the South African Navy, which has provided the training area, Will for Peace 2026 brings together a diverse coalition of nations to address evolving maritime threats.
The navies of South Africa, China and Russia have previously exercised together in maritime drills known locally as Exercises Mosi (2019) and Mosi II (2023). This series has now evolved into what the SA Navy describes as a “joint, interagency, inter-departmental, multinational exercise” involving all BRICS Plus members.
Formally opening the exercise, a Chinese naval official emphasised the importance of multinational cooperation, noting the growing complexity of the maritime security environment and the need for joint responses to shared challenges.
In his address during the Opening Parade, the Chinese official characterised Will for Peace 2026 as the result of months of cooperation and preparation by national leaders and legal experts. He said the exercise represents a strategic evolution from earlier iterations, with a shift towards more “pragmatic” manoeuvres.
Photo: Dean Wingrin
He added that the drills have been modernised to meet the “needs of the times”, focusing on “new forces” and enhancing the ability of joint forces to address maritime security challenges in a coordinated manner.
“We hope that this joint exercise will become more and more powerful and more and more prosperous… developing and progressing in a more pragmatic and in-depth direction that better meets the needs of the times,” he told assembled dignitaries.
South Africa was praised as the host nation for providing “comprehensive support”, enabling the smooth and effective execution of the exercise.
The official concluded with a call for professionalism, stating: “It is hoped that officers and sailors from all countries will make good use of this brief but invaluable gathering together to conduct communications, deepen future learning, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, [and] promote friendship and mutual trust.”
Photo: Dean Wingrin
A defining feature of this year’s exercise is the inclusion of newly expanded BRICS Plus members. While South Africa, China, Russia and Iran have deployed active surface combatants, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates are represented as observers only. India is notably absent.
Activities will include a live-fire exercise in the southern portion of False Bay.
SA Navy Captain Ndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, the Joint Task Force Commander for the exercise, stressed that Will for Peace 2026 goes beyond a routine military drill, describing it as “demonstration of our ability to resolve to work together.”
“In an increasingly complex environment,” he said, “an operation such as this is not optional; it is essential.”
He concluded by expressing the hope that the exercise would “deepen our unparalleled mobility, strengthen our friendships, and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, maritime safety, and mutual understanding”.
South African vessels participating in the exercise are the Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) and the Warrior-class multi-mission inshore patrol vessel SAS King Adam Kok III (P1573).
Photo: Dean Wingrin
China has deployed the Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (122) and the Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu (889) to take part in the exercise. These vessels are part of China’s naval escort taskforce in the Gulf of Aden.
Russia is contributing the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoykiy (F545), embarked with a Ka-27PL anti-submarine warfare helicopter, along with the Altay-class oiler Yelnya (A168).
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy is represented by the Bayandor-class corvette Naghdi (82) and the expeditionary sea base Makran (441), carrying an AB-212 ASW helicopter.
A Gowind-class corvette of the United Arab Emirates Navy, Bani Yas (P110), is also present in Simon’s Town but will not participate in the exercise itself.
The maritime exercise off South Africa’s coast has become controversial because it brings Chinese, Russian and Iranian warships into joint drills under the expanding BRICS Plus framework, prompting criticism that South Africa is compromising its non-aligned foreign-policy posture and straining ties with Western partners, particularly the United States, by hosting sanctioned or adversarial naval forces in its waters. Domestic opponents, including the Democratic Alliance, argue that allowing Russian and Iranian participation sends a political signal that undercuts South Africa’s neutrality and risks diplomatic and economic fallout, while supporters insist the exercises are solely about maritime safety and interoperability.
China’s PLA Navy has already extended an invitation to all participants to convene in Shanghai for the final planning conference for the next iteration of this BRICS Plus maritime exercise.
