The multinational naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” officially began Friday in South African territorial waters, marking the first military drill formally conducted under the expanded BRICS Plus framework.
According to the South African National Defence Force, the exercise runs from January 9 to January 16 and is centered on the strategic Simon’s Town Naval Base near Cape Town, with associated maritime and airspace operations.
China is serving as the lead nation for this iteration, coordinating operational planning, command structures, and joint maneuvers. Officials say the drill focuses on maritime security, joint operational readiness, and interoperability, under the theme “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities.”
South African defense officials said hosting the exercise underscores the country’s role as a regional maritime security hub linking the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The exercise involves surface combatants, support vessels, naval aviation, and maritime patrol assets conducting search-and-rescue, convoy protection, and communications drills.
Set to conclude on January 16, the exercise reflects a broader push within the BRICS Plus framework toward enhanced security cooperation, with participating states emphasizing its non-confrontational and defensive nature.
