Over 350 South African Troops to join drills with Russia, China

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jan 2023 16:39
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South African National Defense Force (SANDF) confirms that war games were meant to "strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia, and China."

South African National Defense Force soldiers stand at attention during a rehearsal for exercise Shared Accord 2013 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, July 21, 2013. (Wikimedia)

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) said, on Thursday, that about 350 South African army personnel will participate in trilateral maritime drills with Russia and China off the coast of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region in the Indian Ocean from February 17-27.

"The 10-day naval exercise, called Mosi, which means Smoke in the local Tswana language, will bring together more than 350 SANDF representatives from various branches and units alongside the Russian and Chinese counterparts, with an aim of sharing operational skills and knowledge," the statement read.

SANDF also noted that the exercise coordinators have agreed on the relevant details to prepare for the exercise as early as December 2022. It also stressed said the war games were meant to "strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia, and China."

It is worth noting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was reportedly expected in South Africa's capital on Monday.

Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation will host him during his visit.

It is worth noting that South Africa recently took on the mantle of the leadership of the BRICS, a grouping comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.