South Africa’s National Defence Force has confirmed that the country will host a multinational naval exercise with BRICS‑Plus partner states from 9 to 16 January 2026 in South African waters, emphasising cooperation on maritime safety and security, official information shows.

According to a media advisory from the Department of Defence, the exercise titled “Will for Peace 2026” will bring together the navies of BRICS‑Plus countries for joint drills aimed at safeguarding shipping routes and enhancing cooperation at sea.

The SANDF’s statement says the exercise will feature a programme of maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection procedures, reflecting a collective commitment to safe shipping and maritime economic activities. The theme, chosen by participating navies, underscores a shared focus on maintaining secure sea lanes and strengthening joint action among the forces involved. 

“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,” the Defence Department statement said. The event will be led by the People’s Republic of China and hosted by South Africa.

Earlier reports by Global Upfront Newspapers show that the exercise has roots in a series of previous joint drills known as Exercise Mosi, which historically involved South Africa, Russia and China. The latest iteration has been expanded to include additional BRICS‑Plus partners, reflecting broader defence cooperation under the enlarged grouping.

Naval vessels from some partner nations are already on their way to South African ports ahead of the exercises. Two Chinese naval ships the Type 052DL guided‑missile destroyer Tangshan (D122) and the Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu (K889) called at Mombasa, Kenya, on 24 December 2025 as part of their journey south, according to The Maritime Executive. Russian warships have also been reported en route to the region in preparation for participation.

Iran’s naval contribution is also expected, with the Iranian 103rd Flotilla on course to join the exercise in South African waters. A commander quoted by Iranian state media described the drills as a platform for enhancing operational cooperation, maritime security and collective coordination among the participating navies.

The multinational exercise will operate under joint command structures agreed by the participating countries and is intended to strengthen interoperability and shared procedures in support of safe maritime trade, the SANDF advisory said. While the full list of participating states was not released, sources say the exercise reflects the expanded scope of BRICS‑Plus cooperation beyond economic ties to include security and defence engagements.

Military analysts say exercises such as Will for Peace 2026 provide valuable training opportunities and help deepen strategic ties among partner countries, particularly in areas of maritime security and collective readiness. These drills are part of a broader pattern of increased military collaboration among emerging global powers within and around the BRICS framework.

South Africa’s hosting of the BRICS‑Plus naval exercise comes amid ongoing debates about defence priorities and resource constraints facing the SANDF, as other engagements such as peacekeeping missions and regional security commitments continue to stretch military resources.