The Democratic Alliance has raised concerns over South Africa’s planned naval exercises with Iran and Russia, warning that the drills could weaken the country’s stated foreign policy position of nonalignment.
The exercises are expected to take place in early 2026 and involve joint maritime operations between the South African National Defence Force and naval forces from Iran and Russia.
The DA said participation in such drills sends conflicting signals about South Africa’s diplomatic posture at a time of heightened global tensions and increasing scrutiny of international alliances. Party representatives argued that South Africa should avoid military engagements that could be interpreted as taking sides in geopolitical conflicts.
They said the country’s foreign policy should prioritise peace building, neutrality and respect for international law, rather than actions that may be viewed as endorsing controversial state actors. The Department of Defence has not yet released detailed information on the objectives or scope of the planned exercises.
Government officials have previously defended joint military drills as routine engagements aimed at skills development, interoperability and maritime security. Critics however say the timing and choice of partners raise legitimate political and diplomatic questions. South Africa has repeatedly stated that it follows a non aligned approach in its international relations, maintaining ties across different global blocs. The debate around the naval exercises highlights ongoing tension between government policy and opposition concerns over South Africa’s global positioning.