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What’s the Strategy Behind South Africa’s Joint Naval Exercises With China and Russia?

by Cobus van Staden
The Russian frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" docked at the port in Richards Bay on February 22, 2023. Guillem SARTORIO / AFP

South Africa’s joint naval exercises with China and Russia are drawing sharp criticism domestically and from Western allies. Beyond questions about the symbolism of its timing – overlapping with the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine invasion – many are baffled as to why SA is participating at all.

The ten days of exercises, dubbed Operation Mosi II, will include anti-piracy exercises and simulated aerial attacks on ships. A Russian frigate and supply ship, and a Chinese frigate, destroyer and supply vessel will be joined by a single South African frigate.

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