South African Navy Participates in Naval Drills with Russia and China: Reason Explored
South Africa's army is gearing up for a joint exercise with Russia and China, causing quite the stir. Let's dive into the details of this controversial military collaboration.
What's the plan?
Starting soon, the South African National Protection Force (SANDF) will participate in this joint exercise with around 350 military personnel involved. Russia has planned to dispatch its Admiral Gorshkov warship, which carries fearsome Zircon hypersonic missiles capable of traveling at 9 times the speed of sound and with a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
Analysts assert that Russia intends to demonstrate its military power despite challenges faced in the battle with Ukraine, as this exercise coincides with both the initial wedding anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and criticism from the US.
In the past, similar exercises with the three nations included 7 ships—one warship from each nation, along with support and research vessels. The maritime drills concerned handling coastal fires, floods, and piracy.
The controversy swirling around
The White House has expressed concerns about any country working out with Russia, especially during Russia's ongoing brutal war with Ukraine. South Africa avoided a UN vote condemning the invasion and also refrained from joining the US and Europe in enforcing sanctions against Russia.
The Nord superyacht, linked to Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov, was granted permission to dock in Cape Town, and the Russian cargo ship Girl R was allowed to discharge products at a South African naval base. The South African government maintains that the Girl R contained a delayed ammunition order.
South Africa defends its military exercises, stating, "All nations conduct military exercises with friends worldwide." Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor further stated that attempts to prevent South Africa from performing joint army exercises with countries of its choice amount to "an abuse of international tactics."
What's South Africa's motivation?
South Africa's military is underfunded and overstretched and must handle priorities such as protecting its home waters' fisheries and battling piracy in the Indian Ocean. To manage offshore issues like piracy effectively, it necessitates cooperation with other nations. South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) also has long-standing connections with Russia, including historical support during the times of white-minority rule.
What's Russia and China seeking?
For Russia, demonstrating its power far from home and maintaining allies worldwide strengthens its global standing. China, keen to safeguard commercial shipping routes from its ports to African destinations, seeks to expand its naval power in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, China might aim to establish more bases off the African coastline to assert its navy in international waters.
The joint exercise serves various purposes such as enhancing military cooperation, strategic partnerships, and military modernization for these countries. However, US critics view this exercise as challenging Western military dominance, destabilizing global security, and undermining the existing international order.
- Amidst the ongoing political climate, the news of South Africa's joint military exercise with Russia and China, scheduled to start soon, has generated general-news headlines, raising concerns in the US as the White House has expressed worries about working with Russia, particularly during its war with Ukraine.
- As a result of these joint exercises, Russia will demonstrate its military power by dispatching the Admiral Gorshkov warship, equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, while China seeks to expand its naval power in the Indian Ocean, potentially placing more focus on establishing bases off the African coastline, thus prompting discussions about the shifting balance in global politics.
