South Africa Hosts Multinational Naval Exercise With SA, Iran, China, and Russia in January

South Africa will host the multinational naval exercise Will for Peace 2026 in early January, when Chinese, Russian, and Iranian naval vessels will arrive on its shores.

Originally called Exercise Mosi III, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in a statement on 30 December said the exercise is now titled Will for Peace, and will be led by the People’s Republic of China. It will take place in South African waters between 9 and 16 January 2026.

“Exercise Will for Peace 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials,” said a statement issued by Brigadier General Nditsheni Singo, Acting General Officer Commanding Joint Operational Headquarters.

The participating nations have jointly agreed on the exercise theme ‘Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities.’ “This theme reflects the collective commitment of all participating navies to safeguard maritime trade routes, enhance shared operational procedures and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives. Further details for the exercise will be communicated through subsequent communication,” the SANDF said.

Exercise Mosi has taken place every two years with Russia, China, and South Africa, with the most recent edition postponed from November as South Africa was hosting the G20 summit. The addition of Iran as a BRICS Plus member has seemingly prompted the exercise renaming.

Participating warships are already en route to South Africa. On 24 December, two Chinese navy vessels made a port call in Mombasa, Kenya: the Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (D122) and the Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu (K889).  The remaining ship of the 48th Flotilla, the Type 054A guided-missile frigate Daqing (F576), appears to have been left behind to keep watch over the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, The Maritime Executive reports.

Russia is contributing the Steregushchiy Class corvette Stoykiy (F545) with a Ka-27PL ASW helicopter on board, and its escorting Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168). Theu arrived in Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of the Congo, on 21 December. After participating in Exercise Will for Peace 2026, the Russian vessels will make calls in Tanzania, Guinea, and Mozambique.

The Iranian Navy’s 103rd Flotilla is going to take part in Exercise Will for Peace, and should arrive in South Africa in the next ten days. Iran’s WANA news agency quoted Rear Admiral Shahram Irani as saying the main objective of the exercise is to enhance operational cooperation, maritime security, and collective coordination in international waters.

Irani emphasized the “combined” nature of the exercise, stating that such drills provide an important platform for exchanging experience, improving operational capabilities, and conducting joint naval training on an international scale. He recalled that in recent years Iran, together with China and Russia, has hosted similar exercises in its southern waters, with a strong focus on maritime security, sea-based economy, and the safety of shipping lanes.

The Iranian navy commander noted that the level of training has also advanced significantly. While earlier exercises were largely limited to search and rescue operations and vessel safety, current drills now include more complex scenarios and what he described as “live” operational training.

The upcoming exercise has attracted criticism, notably from the Democratic Alliance (DA). Chris Hattingh, DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, said the participation of Iran and Russia “make it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain that South Africa is genuinely pursuing a policy of non-alignment.”

“Hosting the military forces of Iran and Russia is not neutral. These are sanctioned states involved in active conflicts and serious human rights abuses. Allowing them to conduct military exercises in South African waters sends a clear political signal, whether government admits it or not,” he said.

“This concern is heightened by recent public statements from Iran’s president describing his country as being in a state of war with the United States and Western powers, making South Africa’s decision to host Iranian naval forces deeply concerning.

“At the same time, South Africa’s defence relationships with democratic countries are weakening. Joint military exercises with the United States have been cancelled, US participation in the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition failed, and diplomatic tensions are increasing. These outcomes are the predictable result of confused foreign policy and poor political judgement,” Hattingh said.

@DefenceWeb