SANDF wargames with Russia and China to coincide with G20 Summit

Published by RawNews1st

SANDF wargames with Russia and China to coincide with G20 Summit

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will hold the third round of joint naval exercises with Russia and China in November – at the same time that South Africa hosts the G20 Summit.

The exercises, which caused controversy in the past, will bring further scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign relations and cast doubt on the country’s assertion that it is non-aligned in global affairs. The government hopes to use the summit to showcase South Africa as an attractive investment and tourism destination.

SANDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala said in response to questions on Thursday: “The planning for exercise MOSI III is currently in progress for execution towards the end of November 2025. The exercise will continue as planned. The authority is exercised by the Department of Defence.”

Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga did not respond to questions about whether consideration had been given to postponing the exercises due to sensitivities around South Africa’s foreign relations.

Motshekga authorised and recently defended a visit to Iran by the chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, last month. She also defended political comments made by Maphwanya, who expressed solidarity with Iran and stated that the two countries “share common goals and will always support the oppressed and defenceless people of the world”.

Until recently, the SANDF also held regular military exercises with the US. In early August, the US cancelled the last remaining of these, a military relief exercise called Unity Shield, only weeks before it was due to take place.

Rapport reported that South Africa had banned US forces from bringing weapons into the country, violating the original agreement between the two countries and causing the US to withdraw.