The fleets of Russia, China, and South Africa were scheduled to begin an 11-day drill off the east coast of South Africa on Friday, coinciding with the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine the following week.

The US Embassy in South Africa and opposition lawmakers opposed the exercise, arguing that it let Russia test its military capabilities and demonstrate that friends surround it at a crucial time in its fight against Ukraine.

Russia, China, and South Africa Military Naval Exercises

Nevertheless, the foreign ministers of South Africa and Russia described the drill as customary between friendly nations last month. The South African administration, which enjoys good ties with both Washington and Moscow, has refrained from denouncing the invasion and urged Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Iran has lately been under fire from US authorities for permitting a sanctioned Russian cargo ship to deliver and load unknown goods at its major naval facility. Russia sent one of its advanced frigates, Admiral Gorshkov, to participate in the drill in the Indian Ocean near Durban and Richards Bay, South Africa.

The frigate was outfitted with a Zircon hypersonic missile system, according to the Russian embassy in Cape Town, where it docked on Wednesday before leaving for Durban. According to WSJ, the warship is branded with a white "Z," representing Russia's support for the conflict in Ukraine.

This week, South Africa's military refuted a claim by the Russian official news agency TASS that a training launch of one of these missiles was scheduled as part of the joint exercise.

In January, a representative for the White House stated, "The United States is concerned about any country that exercises with Russia when Putin is waging a horrific war against Ukraine."

Previously, South Africa abstained from a United Nations vote condemning the invasion. It also declined to join the United States and Europe in sanctioning Moscow, as per BBC.

The South African government ignited a political dispute when it let a superyacht named the Nord, related to the sanctioned Russian tycoon Alexey Mordashov, to port in Cape Town. However, it is believed that the vessel did not visit the city.

It was also permitted for the sanctioned Russian cargo ship Lady R to dump supplies at a South African naval facility. The administration stated that it contained a delayed ammunition order.

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Why South Africa Joins Navy Drills?

Since 2011, South Africa has participated in four joint exercises with the United States and drills with France and Germany. On a January visit to her country by her Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor stated, "All nations undertake military drills with their allies."

He stated that attempting to prevent South Africa from conducting joint military exercises with its chosen nations constituted "a violation of international norms."

According to Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, president of the South African Institute of International Relations, South Africa is also participating because its military forces are underfunded and overstretched. Priorities of the navy include protecting fisheries in home waters and combating piracy in the Indian Ocean. The ruling African National Party (ANC) in South Africa also has longstanding relations with Russia.

According to Dr. Alex Vines of the Chatham House think tank in London, this is traced back to the period of white minority rule preceding 1994. Because they are all members of the BRICS alliance, Russia, China, and South Africa also have contemporary connections. In addition to Brazil and India, this group represents some of the world's biggest growing economies.

The government has stated that at least 350 members of the South African navy and other military branches are anticipated to participate in the drill. In 2019, the three nations performed the Mosi I naval exercises near Cape Town.

Since the crisis in Ukraine began, Russia and the United States have courted assistance from South Africa, demonstrating Pretoria's prominence as a critical partner on the continent. In recent months, the two superpowers have competed for influence in Africa by sending high-level diplomats on diplomatic missions.

Per AP News, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen recently visited South Africa to strengthen diplomatic, political, and economic connections. In September 2022, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House.

On a visit to South Africa last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced Western backing for Ukraine and stressed Russia's strong ties with South Africa and other African states.

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