Naval Exercise and Its Geopolitical Implications
By: Fahad Ali Shah
As a student of international relations and a member of a community deeply concerned about the escalating tensions surrounding our neighbor Iran and the systematic undermining of China’s legitimate interests—particularly in Venezuela—by the United States, I have been closely monitoring tactical developments on the global stage. In an era marked by unilateral actions, sanctions, and proxy conflicts, certain events stand out as calculated responses to Western dominance. One such development is the multinational naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026,” which commenced on January 9, 2026, in South African waters. This exercise is not merely a routine military drill; it represents a significant assertion of multipolar cooperation amid growing confrontation.
The exercise, hosted by South Africa and led by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China, is taking place primarily around Simon’s Town near Cape Town and is scheduled to continue until January 16, 2026. Warships from China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa form the core participants, with additional contributions from nations such as the United Arab Emirates (which has deployed vessels) and observers or limited participants from countries like Indonesia and Ethiopia. The official theme—”Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities”—emphasizes practical cooperation through interoperability drills, maritime protection operations, counter-terrorism and rescue scenarios, and anti-piracy exercises. These activities are framed as non-confrontational efforts to safeguard vital trade routes in an increasingly volatile maritime domain.
This exercise builds directly on the earlier Mosi series of trilateral drills involving China, Russia, and South Africa in 2019 and 2023. Originally planned as Mosi III for late 2025, it was postponed and rebranded to avoid overlapping with the G20 summit. Now presented as the first major naval cooperation under the expanded BRICS Plus framework, it signals an intent to institutionalize security collaboration among Global South nations. Notably, while BRICS itself lacks a formal military structure, the absence of major members like India and Brazil underscores that this initiative is driven by a specific subset of the bloc—those most aligned in challenging Western-led order.
What makes “Will for Peace 2026” particularly noteworthy is its departure from routine multilateral exercises. South Africa has a history of hosting or participating in naval drills with diverse partners, including Western nations. However, the prominent inclusion of Russia and Iran—both heavily sanctioned by the United States and its allies, and both engaged in ongoing geopolitical conflicts—elevates this event into the realm of strategic signaling. The timing is especially striking: it coincides with heightened U.S. pressure on multiple fronts, including actions in Venezuela that have severely damaged Chinese economic interests, ongoing crises in the Red Sea, and broader efforts to contain the rise of alternative power centers.
Western observers, particularly in Washington, have expressed alarm over the exercise, viewing it as evidence of South Africa’s drifting non-alignment and a potential risk to bilateral relations (including threats of tariffs or aid reductions). Domestic critics within South Africa, such as the Democratic Alliance, have questioned its political wisdom and neutrality. In contrast, Chinese and Russian sources portray it as a constructive initiative for inclusive maritime security, reinforcing the narrative of a peaceful, multipolar alternative to hegemonic dominance.
Joint naval exercises are, in principle, standard practice for many nations and serve legitimate purposes such as enhancing interoperability and deterring common threats like piracy. Yet the specific composition of this drill—led by China and featuring Russia and Iran—makes it politically charged. It is not “business as usual.” Ships are already in position, operations are underway, and the message is clear: nations targeted by Western sanctions and interference are actively coordinating to protect their maritime interests and demonstrate resilience.
In the broader context of international relations, “Will for Peace 2026” reflects a deliberate pushback against unilateralism. For countries like Pakistan, which share borders with Iran and maintain strategic partnerships with China, such developments merit close attention. They highlight the growing capacity of the Global South to pursue independent security arrangements and safeguard economic lifelines against external disruption. Whether this exercise heralds deeper military integration within expanded BRICS or remains a symbolic gesture, it undeniably contributes to the ongoing rebalancing of global power.
As students and observers of international relations, we must recognize these tactical movements for what they are: steps toward a more pluralistic world order, where the safety of shipping lanes and economic activities is defended not by a single hegemon, but through cooperative will for peace.
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