The probable participation of Iran in ‘Exercise Will for Peace’ is likely to be controversial — military experts say the exercise has more downside than upside for South Africa. South Africa will host a joint naval exercise with other countries of the BRICS-Plus group next month, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed. It said that China would lead the “Joint, inter-agency, inter-departmental, Multinational Exercise to be hosted in South African waters” from 9 to 16 January 2026.
Reports had earlier indicated that this would be the third iteration of the series of Mosi naval exercises comprising the South African, Russian and Chinese navies. Mosi I was held in 2019 and Mosi II in 2023. But the SANDF statement on Tuesday referred to the upcoming exercise as “Exercise Will for Peace 2026”.
It did not specifically mention which other countries would participate, other than saying it would “bring together navies from BRICS-Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials”. It said the participating nations had agreed on the exercise theme: “Joint actions to ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”. This theme reflected 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.
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The Tehran Times of 22 DecemberquotedRear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of Naval Force of the Iranian Army, as saying the 103rd and 104th flotillas of the navy had already set sail for South Africa. The 103rd flotilla would participate in the BRICS military exercise while the 104th would escort commercial shipping. Daily Maverick asked SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini which navies would participate.
He said he had not yet received confirmation of that – China was leading the exercise and would have extended the invitations. BRICS-Plus comprises Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has also been invited to join, but has not formally confirmed its membership. Media reports have indicated that Indonesia and Ethiopia would also participate in next month’s exercise, though possibly only as observers.
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