South Africa Hosts BRICS Naval Exercise, Risks Renewed US Tensions

Source: Bloomberg | Original Published At: 2026-01-08 11:04:03 UTC

Key Points

• BRICS naval exercise 'Will for Peace 2026' is being hosted by South Africa from January 9-16, 2026.
• China leads the drill focused on safeguarding maritime trade routes and enhancing collective maritime security cooperation.
• The exercise involves unspecified BRICS member warships with details to be disclosed at a scheduled media conference.
• The drills risk provoking renewed US diplomatic tensions due to geopolitical sensitivities around BRICS military cooperation.