Chinese, Russian, and Iranian warships have converged on South African waters for a week-long joint naval exercise dubbed 'Will for Peace 2026,' also known as Mosi III. The drills officially commenced on January 9, 2026, and are scheduled to run until January 16. These exercises are a significant undertaking under the expanded BRICS Plus framework, with China leading the maneuvers. The primary objectives of 'Will for Peace 2026' include strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing maritime safety operations, improving interoperability among participating navies, and conducting maritime protection and anti-piracy drills. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the event, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding maritime trade routes and fostering peaceful maritime security initiatives. This marks the first time such an exercise has been explicitly held under the BRICS Plus banner, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. While the specific participation of all BRICS Plus members in the naval drills was not immediately clear, China, Russia, and Iran are confirmed to be active participants, with their warships having arrived in or heading towards Simon's Town naval base near Cape Town. The exercises have drawn considerable international attention and criticism, particularly from the United States. They are viewed as a demonstration of evolving geopolitical alignments and deepening military cooperation among nations that often challenge Western dominance. Critics argue that hosting such drills undermines South Africa's proclaimed non-aligned foreign policy and risks further straining its relations with Western countries, as was the case with similar exercises in 2023. For an Indian audience, these drills are highly relevant, signaling the increasing strategic importance of the BRICS bloc and its potential to reshape global security dynamics.