BRICS member states have commenced joint naval exercises in South African waters, signaling the bloc’s increasing military and geopolitical coordination as it expands its reach and influence on the global stage. The drills, named Peaceful Will, began on Friday and include participation from Russia, China, Iran, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. The exercise marks one of the first significant military activities organized under the BRICS framework since the group’s expansion last year.
The inclusion of Iran and Indonesia is particularly notable, highlighting both the bloc’s widening membership and the reintegration of Iran into the international fold after decades of relative isolation since 1979. Analysts view the maneuvers as a symbolic counterweight to Western-led alliances and forums, especially as they come just weeks before the G-20 summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in November.
South African officials, while hosting the BRICS drills, also confirmed the postponement of the planned Mosi III exercises involving China and Russia, originally scheduled for November 2025. The decision was made to avoid logistical strain and potential diplomatic friction with the G-20 gathering. Mosi exercises, launched trilaterally in 2023, have been held annually and are considered a key component of maritime cooperation among the participating nations.
The geopolitical backdrop surrounding these drills adds to their significance. U.S. President Donald Trump has already announced that he will not attend the upcoming G-20 summit, citing disputes with South Africa over alleged mistreatment of white South Africans. His absence will further highlight a trend of major international events proceeding without U.S. participation, a dynamic that has become increasingly visible in recent months.
Just last week, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, and Wednesday’s Victory Day parade in Beijing brought together numerous world leaders and underscored shifting global alignments that challenge traditional U.S.-led influence. The BRICS naval exercises are now seen as part of this broader realignment, projecting a message of unity and strategic cooperation among emerging powers.