The Will for Peace 2026 maritime exercise officially commenced on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with an opening parade at Naval Base Simon’s Town in Cape Town. This event marks a notable expansion of maritime security cooperation within the BRICS Plus framework, a grouping originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The current iteration brings together naval assets from South Africa, China, Russia, and Iran. While the exercise demonstrates a deepening of military ties among these nations, it has also generated substantial debate regarding the geopolitical trajectory of the host nation.
Critics of the exercise argue that hosting warships from China, Russia, and Iran may jeopardise the non-aligned foreign policy of South Africa. There are concerns that such drills could strain diplomatic and economic relations with Western partners, particularly the United States. Conversely, supporters of the initiative emphasise that the manoeuvres focus on maritime safety, joint operations, and technical interoperability. Led by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the exercise utilises South African training areas to address evolving maritime threats through a coordinated multinational approach.
Admiral Emad Nejad Moridi, Commander of Iran’s Naval Task Force 103 and top commander of Iranian forces in this exercise, emphasised that Iran’s participation reflects its commitment to ensuring maritime peace and security in the region.
He stated that strengthening ties among friendly nations enhances collective capacity to counter maritime threats and safeguard vital shipping lanes. The exercise, conducted in two phases, coastal and maritime, includes diplomatic engagements, bilateral and multilateral meetings, and complex operational drills.
These phases include live-fire exercises against surface and aerial targets, rescue operations for hijacked vessels, emergency aid, medical evacuation, and joint special forces operations. With over 20 naval and air units from participating nations operating in the Cape of Good Hope, the exercise signals a new era in combating piracy, terrorism, and other maritime threats.
Tactical Evolution and Modernisation
Will for Peace 2026 represents a strategic evolution of previous trilateral engagements known as Exercises Mosi, held in 2019 and 2023. The South African Navy now classifies the event as a joint, interagency, inter-departmental, and multinational exercise. During the opening ceremony, a Chinese naval official described the drills as a result of extensive preparation by national leaders and legal experts. He noted that the exercise has transitioned toward more pragmatic manoeuvres designed to meet the needs of the modern security environment.
The modernisation of these drills focuses on what officials termed “new forces,” referring to integrated capabilities that enhance the ability of joint forces to manage complex maritime challenges. This includes an emphasis on professionalism and mutual trust among the gathered officers and sailors. South Africa received praise for providing the comprehensive logistical and territorial support required to execute an operation of this scale.
Surface Combatants and Technical Specifications
The naval task force assembled in Simon’s Town features a diverse array of specialised vessels. China has deployed the Tangshan (122), a Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer, alongside the Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu (889). The Tangshan is a lengthened variant of the Luyang III-class, featuring an extended flight deck designed to accommodate the Harbin Z-20 helicopter. It carries a 64-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) capable of deploying HHQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missiles and YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles. Its primary sensor is the Type 346A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which provides substantial air defence and tracking capabilities.
Russia’s contribution includes the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoikiy (F545). This Project 20380 vessel is designed with stealth characteristics to reduce its radar cross-section. It displaces approximately 2,200 tons and carries a Ka-27PL anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. The Stoikiy is equipped with the Redut VLS for air defence and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles. It is supported by the Altay-class oiler Yelnya (A168) to sustain operations far from its home port.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are represented by three distinct platforms. The Naghdi (82), a Bayandor-class corvette, provides traditional surface combatant capabilities. More notable are the forward base ship Makran (441) and the expeditionary base ship Shahid Mahdavi (110-3). The Makran is a converted oil tanker utilised as a mobile logistics hub and carries an AB-212 ASW helicopter. The Shahid Mahdavi features a 150-meter flat deck capable of launching various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, effectively serving as a floating sea base for long-range missions.
South African Participation and Observer Status
The South African Navy has deployed the Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) and the Warrior-class Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel (MMIPV) SAS King Adam Kok III (P1573). The King Adam Kok III is a Damen Stan Patrol 6211 design featuring the Sea Axe hull, which optimises sea-keeping in the rough waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is equipped with a Reutech Super Rogue 20 mm remote weapon station and possesses the modularity to carry containerised mission assets for various constabulary roles.
A defining element of Will for Peace 2026 is the participation of newly expanded BRICS Plus members. While the primary combatants belong to the four main partners, several nations are present as observers. These include Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE Navy’s Gowind-class corvette Bani Yas (P110) is present in Simon’s Town but is not participating in the active drills. Notably absent is India, which participated in earlier iterations of the Mosi series but did not deploy assets for this specific event.
For the SA National Defence Force, the exercise reinforces cooperative maritime engagement, builds mutual trust among participating forces, and supports efforts to maintain secure sea lines of communication.
Operational Objectives and Geopolitics
The planned activities include a live-fire exercise in the southern portion of False Bay. Captain Ndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, the Joint Task Force Commander, stated that the operation is essential for resolving to work together in an increasingly complex environment. The drills aim to improve collective responses to piracy, illegal border crossings, and the protection of commercial shipping routes. General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), emphasised that the exercise builds the trust necessary to ensure safe shipping for all maritime stakeholders.
Despite the focus on maritime safety, the inclusion of sanctioned or adversarial naval forces continues to spark domestic and international tension. Opponents argue that the political signalling of these drills undercuts South Africa’s neutrality. Nevertheless, the participating nations appear committed to the framework. The PLA Navy has already invited participants to Shanghai for the final planning conference of the next BRICS Plus naval exercise, indicating that this multinational maritime architecture will continue to expand.