multinational war games

South Africa defies Western leaders as it hosts Russia-China naval drills

By Ray Mwareya

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Posted on February 21, 2023 12:34

© Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov is docked en route to scheduled naval exercises with the South African and Chinese navies in Durban, South Africa, February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Rogan Ward — Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov is docked en route to scheduled naval exercises with the South African and Chinese navies in Durban, South Africa, February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

This week, South Africa is defying fierce rebukes from Western governments as it hosts Russia’s and China’s navies for joint military drills off its Indian Ocean shoreline.

As the world marks the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, a Russian frigate armed with hypersonic missiles will be coordinating with Chinese and South African vessels, projecting power in the Indian Ocean.

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