Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 Opens with Official Parade
Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 officially commenced on 10 January 2026 with an opening parade in Simon’s Town, marking the start of the multinational maritime exercise conducted in South Africa’s training areas and territorial waters.
The parade brought together naval contingents from China, Russia, Iran and South Africa with China serving as the lead nation. The exercise signals the formal beginning of joint maritime activities aimed at strengthening cooperation, operational coordination and maritime security.
The Commander of the Chinese Task Group said the opening of Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 reflected months of careful planning and collaboration among participating navies, with China as the lead nation and South Africa providing strong support as host and training area. The Joint Task Force Commander of Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026, Capt Ndwakhulu Thamaha, added that the exercise is more than a military activity, demonstrating the shared commitment of participating nations to maritime safety and secure shipping, and that the sailors on parade exemplified professionalism and discipline. He reflected that he had never imagined officiating a ceremony bringing together partners from across regions and cultures around a common purpose.
For the SA National Defence Force, the exercise reinforces cooperative maritime engagement, builds mutual trust among participating forces, and supports efforts to maintain secure sea lines of communication.
Information by Ms Thando Ramasimong and Photos by Ms Boitumelo Choene || Defence Corporate Communication || SA Soldier Magazine.
