BRIC countries' naval manoeuvre off South Africa makes waves

„Will for Peace 2026“ was the name of this year's BRICs naval manoeuvre from 10 to 16 January, to which Beijing had invited the navies of China (this year's operational leader), Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, along with observers from Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia, to Simon's Town in South Africa. Five ships were to take part: The corvette „Stoiky“ (RUS), the destroyer „Tangshan“ (CHV) as lead ship, the corvette „Bani Yas“ (UAE), the frigate „Amatola“ (SAF) and the Iranian corvette „Naghdi“. The long-range carriers from Russia and China were supported by the supply vessels „Yelna“ (Altay class) and „Taihu“ (Type 903). So far - so good.

As Iran also provided its corvette with the Forward Base Ship „Makran“ (Iranian Navy) and the Expeditionary Base Ship „Shahid Mahdavi“ (Iranian Revolutionary Guard), but at the same time the number of massacred Iranian demonstrators exploded, a scandal was inevitable even in this illustrious group: South Africa asked Iran to withdraw before the naval phase of the manoeuvre and merely assume observer status. Given Pretoria's open cooperation with two sanctioned states, it is undisputed that this turn of events was not only due to political sensitivity in Pretoria, but also to South Africa's massive dependence on American goodwill in the Senate and administration. What was intended to be a closing of ranks between rogues who are already at odds with each other ended in a strategic zero number: Will for Peace - irony at a high international level!