BRICS Nations Launch Joint Naval Exercise, Signaling Growing Military Cooperation
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – Naval forces from BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – have commenced a joint maritime exercise, dubbed “Paz’s Will,” off the coast of South Africa. The exercise, which began with a preliminary meeting of high-ranking military officials in Cape town, underscores a deepening trend of military collaboration among the emerging economic powers.
The maneuver reflects the BRICS countries’ shared interest in bolstering their naval presence in international waters, ensuring the security of vital maritime trade routes, and demonstrating a unified capacity to address regional and global challenges. This exercise builds upon South Africa’s existing military partnerships, having previously conducted drills with nations including Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States.
According to Iranian media, Captain Hassan Maghsoodloo, commander of the first Naval District of the Iranian Navy, stated, “Given the economic relations and relations between the member countries of the BRICS Summit, the combined maritime exercise ’Paz’s Will’ will be carried out with the participation of combat units of the member countries, with South Africa as host.”
South Africa is also preparing to host further naval exercises in November, this time with Russia and China. The increasing frequency of these joint drills signals a strategic shift as BRICS nations seek to project power and influence beyond economic spheres.
