Secrecy over peace exercise

INVOLVEMENT: DA DECRIES LACK OF INFORMATION

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The multinational naval exercise, Will for Peace, starts in South African territorial waters on Friday using an as yet unidentified SA Navy base as operational headquarters, with minimal information forthcoming from SA National Defence Force (SANDF) communication personnel.

The exercise was confirmed by a SANDF Joint Operations Division statement on 30 December.

It, in part, noted that China will lead the joint, inter-agency, interdepartmental, multinational exercise.

"Exercise Will for Peace 2026 brings together navies from Brics Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials," reads the statement, signed off by Brigadier-General Nditsheni Singo, acting general officer commanding joint operational headquarters, and Lieutenant-Colonel Mpho Mathebula, the division's acting senior staff officer operational communication.

Further details, according to the statement, will be "communicated through subsequent communication".