"Warships from China, Russia, Iran and South Africa began a multinational naval exercise in South African territorial waters on Friday, as part of a China-led BRICS Plus initiative. The eight-day drill titled Exercise Will for Peace 2026 runs from January 9 to January 16, with Simon’s Town Naval Base, South Africa’s principal naval facility, serving as the operational hub and venue for the opening ceremony. The exercise comes amid rising global tensions, with US naval forces gathered off the coast of Venezuela where they are enforcing a selective blockade and have seized a number of oil tankers in recent weeks. Speaking at the opening ceremony, a Chinese naval officer said the exercise aims to safeguard key air and sea routes and expand international participation. “In order to maintain the safety of important air routes and improve the ability to deal with naval threats, countries like Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Egypt have actively participated as observers and have put in new forces for this exercise,” the officer said, adding that China hopes the naval alliance will become 'increasingly powerful and increasingly open.' South African officials highlighted the significance of the drills resulting from cooperation between the participating nations. “Today is the culmination of months of planning, coordination and hard work by all participating nations, and the sight of you from up here is clear evidence of that collective effort,” South African Navy Captain Ndwakhulu Thomas Thamata said. The exercise brings together naval vessels from the four participating countries, while several other BRICS Plus states, including Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Egypt, are participating as observers. Exercise Will for Peace 2026 takes place amid growing international focus on maritime security and expanding defence cooperation within the BRICS Plus framework."