South Africa has begun hosting joint BRICS naval exercises, drawing attention to the increasing geopolitical importance of the bloc’s military cooperation — even as one of its founding members, India, opted not to participate.
The weeklong drills, named “Will for Peace 2026,” kicked off in Simon’s Town, South Africa, bringing together warships from China, Russia and Iran, alongside several BRICS Plus partner countries and observers. (Indian Defence News)
South African defence officials described the exercises as a demonstration of collective resolve to safeguard maritime trade routes and deepen cooperation amid rising global maritime security challenges. The activities include rescue operations, coordinated patrols and tactical exchanges, reflecting a broader effort by participating countries to enhance interoperability at sea. (Indian Defence News)
The BRICS grouping — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has expanded in recent years to include additional countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others under a “BRICS Plus” format. (Al Jazeera)
However, India and Brazil have chosen not to deploy forces for the drills. New Delhi’s decision to stay out has been interpreted by analysts as an effort to maintain its longstanding policy of strategic autonomy and to balance its relationships with Western partners amid complex regional dynamics, especially tensions with China. (Vocal)
Critics argue that conducting military exercises under a primarily economic bloc blurs the original purpose of BRICS as a platform for economic cooperation, while supporters maintain that such cooperation is vital given shifting global power balances. (archive.ph)
The exercises occur against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical friction between several BRICS nations and the United States, underscoring how multilateral forums once focused on trade and development are increasingly intersecting with broader security considerations. (The Moscow Times)
