The first naval exercise held under the expanded BRICS banner is set to begin on Friday in South African waters, marking a new step in defense cooperation among the bloc’s members. The drill, led by China, is themed “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities” and focuses on maritime security, search-and-rescue operations, and the protection of key sea lanes vital to global trade.
BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but expanded in 2024 to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa has not officially confirmed which countries will participate, though media reports indicate that Russia and Iran are expected to take part. While similar naval exercises have been held in the past among some BRICS members, this is the first conducted explicitly under the BRICS name. Analysts say the move is likely to draw close attention from Western governments, as it signals the bloc’s growing ambition to coordinate on security and defense matters alongside its economic agenda.
