Johannesburg: Russia, China and South Africa Naval exercises are set to begin on Friday off South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast in a display of close ties between the three countries RussiaThe invasion of Ukraine and China’s strained relations with the West.
10 days of exercise, name Moses IIFebruary 24 will coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A Russian frigate, Admiral Gorshkov, arrived in Cape Town earlier this week, bearing the letters Z and V on its sides, which mark the Russian arms on the front lines in Ukraine and are used as patriotic symbols in Russia Are.
In protest, a small boat flying the Ukrainian flag was towed by a Russian frigate in Cape Town’s harbour. South African protesters opposing the exercise are expected to demonstrate at the Russian consulate in Cape Town on Friday.
Admiral Gorshkov’s arrival has sparked much controversy as it is armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic missiles, a weapon Russia says can penetrate any missile defenses to hit targets at sea and on land .
According to Russian state news agency Tass, the warship is set to test-fire the Zircon missile during joint naval exercises. The test would be the first launch of the missile in an international exercise.
According to the South African military statement, apart from Admiral Gorshkov, other ships participating in the maritime exercise will include a Russian oil tanker for refueling, a South African frigate and three Chinese ships – a destroyer, a frigate and a support vessel .
The joint naval exercise also comes as China’s relations with Washington are strained after its balloon went over the US and was eventually shot down by the US.
The maritime exercise will be staged from the ports of Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
Media coverage of the exercise has been restricted.
South africa There has been domestic criticism for participating in the exercise. The opposition Democratic Alliance said it showed South Africa was not neutral in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The South African National Defense Force describes the naval exercise with China and Russia as “a multinational maritime exercise”. The naval exercise will “consolidate the already prosperous ties between South Africa, Russia and China” with the aim of sharing “operational skills and knowledge”, the military said in a statement.
The government has said that at least 350 members of South Africa’s navy and other military branches are expected to participate in the exercise.
The three countries previously held the Mossi I naval exercise in Cape Town in 2019.
South Africa is one of several African countries that have friendly relations with Moscow and abstained from voting United Nations The resolution condemns Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russia and the United States have drawn support from South Africa since the start of the war in Ukraine, reflecting Pretoria’s influence as a strategic partner on the continent. The two superpowers have competed for influence in Africa, sending top officials on diplomatic missions to the continent in recent months.
High-ranking US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, recently visited South Africa to deepen diplomatic, political and economic ties. president of south africa Cyril Ramaphosa Visited white House In September 2022.
During his visit to South Africa last month, the Russian Foreign Minister sergei lavrov criticized the West’s actions in support of Ukraine and emphasized Russia’s strong ties with South Africa and other countries on the continent.AP
10 days of exercise, name Moses IIFebruary 24 will coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A Russian frigate, Admiral Gorshkov, arrived in Cape Town earlier this week, bearing the letters Z and V on its sides, which mark the Russian arms on the front lines in Ukraine and are used as patriotic symbols in Russia Are.
In protest, a small boat flying the Ukrainian flag was towed by a Russian frigate in Cape Town’s harbour. South African protesters opposing the exercise are expected to demonstrate at the Russian consulate in Cape Town on Friday.
Admiral Gorshkov’s arrival has sparked much controversy as it is armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic missiles, a weapon Russia says can penetrate any missile defenses to hit targets at sea and on land .
According to Russian state news agency Tass, the warship is set to test-fire the Zircon missile during joint naval exercises. The test would be the first launch of the missile in an international exercise.
According to the South African military statement, apart from Admiral Gorshkov, other ships participating in the maritime exercise will include a Russian oil tanker for refueling, a South African frigate and three Chinese ships – a destroyer, a frigate and a support vessel .
The joint naval exercise also comes as China’s relations with Washington are strained after its balloon went over the US and was eventually shot down by the US.
The maritime exercise will be staged from the ports of Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
Media coverage of the exercise has been restricted.
South africa There has been domestic criticism for participating in the exercise. The opposition Democratic Alliance said it showed South Africa was not neutral in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The South African National Defense Force describes the naval exercise with China and Russia as “a multinational maritime exercise”. The naval exercise will “consolidate the already prosperous ties between South Africa, Russia and China” with the aim of sharing “operational skills and knowledge”, the military said in a statement.
The government has said that at least 350 members of South Africa’s navy and other military branches are expected to participate in the exercise.
The three countries previously held the Mossi I naval exercise in Cape Town in 2019.
South Africa is one of several African countries that have friendly relations with Moscow and abstained from voting United Nations The resolution condemns Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russia and the United States have drawn support from South Africa since the start of the war in Ukraine, reflecting Pretoria’s influence as a strategic partner on the continent. The two superpowers have competed for influence in Africa, sending top officials on diplomatic missions to the continent in recent months.
High-ranking US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, recently visited South Africa to deepen diplomatic, political and economic ties. president of south africa Cyril Ramaphosa Visited white House In September 2022.
During his visit to South Africa last month, the Russian Foreign Minister sergei lavrov criticized the West’s actions in support of Ukraine and emphasized Russia’s strong ties with South Africa and other countries on the continent.AP