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.
