Chinese and Iranian warships arrive in South Africa for BRICS naval exercises

Source: Africanews | Original Published At: 2026-01-08 14:49:51 UTC

Key Points

• Chinese and Iranian warships arrived in Cape Town for the 'Will for Peace 2026' BRICS naval exercises starting January 9, 2026.
• The week-long drill in South African waters focuses on maritime security and safeguarding trade routes.
• China leads the exercises, with Russian ships expected to join, under the expanded BRICS+ framework.
• South Africa's Department of Defence emphasized the drill's goal of deepening cooperation for peaceful maritime security.
• BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and UAE, though exact participant list for the drill remains unclear.