South Africa ‘plays China and Russia’ card against US with joint naval exercise

The exercises have been condemned by Washington, but are seen as giving a PR boost to Moscow amid its ongoing war against Ukraine

Some defence analysts believe the drills in a strategically important sea route off the Cape may become a regular event

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A Russian naval frigate and a helicopter take part in a joint naval drills with Chinese warships last month. Photo: Xinhua via AP

Published: 9:00am, 22 Jan 2023

South Africa is likely to use China and Russia as “bargaining chips” in its dealings with the US after announcing a joint drill with the two countries in the Cape Route waters, defence analysts have said.

The exercise is also seen as giving a further propaganda boost to Moscow after it recently announced that its forces had seized the small town of Soledar after months of reverses and heavy losses.

The joint exercises dubbed “Mosi” – which means “smoke” in local Tswana language – will be held between February 17 and 27, the South African military announced on Thursday.

It said the Chinese and Russian navies would join its forces for the drills off the port city of Durban and Richards Bay, one of the strategically important shipping routes connecting Europe and Asia, South Africa’s military announced on Thursday.

It will be the second such exercise after a previous drill in November 2019.

The United States, which has fostered a decades-long strategic partnership with South Africa, immediately expressed disapproval.

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