Russia, China, and Iran Conduct Joint Naval Exercise Near South Africa; India Stays Away

A major BRICS naval exercise is underway off the coast of South Africa, with China, Russia, and Iran deploying warships in the Atlantic near the Cape of Good Hope. The exercise, titled ‘Will for Peace 2026’, runs from 9–16 January 2026 and focuses on joint defense operations, maritime security drills, and technical exchanges among participating countries.

Participants and Observers

While the exercise includes China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa, notable BRICS members India and Brazil have abstained from participation. Observers include Egypt, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Chinese and Iranian forces have deployed destroyers, Russia and the UAE sent corvettes, and South Africa deployed a medium-sized frigate.

At the opening ceremony, Captain Nandwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, Commander of South Africa’s Joint Task Force, emphasized that the exercise is more than a routine military drill, serving as a symbol of collective resolve among BRICS countries.

Objectives of the Exercise

South Africa described the event as a BRICS Plus operation, aiming to:

• Ensure safe maritime navigation
• Protect economic activities at sea
• Strengthen operational coordination among navies
• Promote peaceful maritime security initiatives

BRICS Plus expands the group beyond founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to include nations such as Iran (joined in 2024), Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

Geopolitical Significance

The timing of the exercise is notable. It began just three days after the U.S. seized a Russian oil tanker linked to Venezuela, amid escalating tensions in the Atlantic and South American waters. Analysts note that the exercise demonstrates growing maritime cooperation among BRICS Plus countries in response to global strategic pressures.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized several BRICS members for pursuing anti-U.S. policies, including trade and energy deals. His administration previously imposed high tariffs on India and threatened additional tariffs on other developing BRICS nations, citing concerns over their economic alignment with Russia and Iran.

India’s Position

India, a founding BRICS member, did not participate in the naval exercise. Similarly, Brazil abstained. India’s absence signals a careful diplomatic approach, balancing its strategic interests with global partnerships, while other BRICS members display increasing military coordination in contested maritime zones.

The Will for Peace 2026 exercise highlights the shifting dynamics of global geopolitics, with strategic naval cooperation serving as a tool for collective influence among emerging economies in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.