China, Russia, Iran & South Africa Signal Naval Muscle As BRICS Warships Drill Off Africa’s Coast
China, Russia, Iran and South Africa move to showcase maritime coordination as BRICS warships conduct joint naval drills off Africa’s coast. Image courtesy AI generated picture via DALL-E
China will conduct major naval and air exercises with Russia, South Africa and other BRICS partners off South Africa’s coast in early to mid-January, Beijing’s defence ministry announced, underscoring a growing show of maritime coordination among emerging powers.
What did China say about the maritime exercise?
In a statement released on Friday (January 9, 2026), China’s Ministry of National Defence said the drills will focus on “joint operations to safeguard vital shipping lanes and economic activities,” a phrase that points directly to the strategic importance of sea routes linking the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic.
The exercises will include strikes against maritime targets as well as counter-terrorism rescue operations, highlighting a mix of conventional naval warfare and asymmetric threat response.
Is this naval wargame a BRICS exercise?
While the ministry did not specify how many BRICS nations will take part, the announcement comes amid the bloc’s rapid expansion and rising geopolitical profile.
BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, later adding South Africa. In its latest phase of expansion, the grouping has brought in several developing and energy-rich countries, including Iran, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
What is the deeper military messaging from the exercise?
Though Beijing stopped short of confirming the participation of all new members, the planned drills off South Africa’s coast signal deeper military cooperation within the BRICS framework.
For China and Russia, the exercise also reinforces their intent to project influence across critical maritime chokepoints beyond their immediate regions, at a time of heightened global naval competition.
