Thursday, March 23, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

South Africa army defends naval drills with Russia

by Agence France-Presse
February 23, 2023
in Navy News
2 min read
0
South Africa army defends naval drills with Russia

A hypersonic Zircon cruise missile is fired from the guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov during a test at the Barents Sea, in this still image taken from a video released May 28, 2022. Russian Defence Ministry

14
VIEWS

South Africa’s military on Wednesday defended its decision to host controversial naval exercises jointly staged with Russia and China and coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Originally slated to start last week, the exercise dubbed Mosi-II kicked off on Wednesday along South Africa’s eastern coast.

But coming on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine, the drills were described by commentators as politically “dubious” and showing “insensitivity”.

The exercises have also been criticised by the United States and the European Union.

South Africa has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine which has largely isolated Moscow on the international stage, saying it prefers dialogue to end the war.

“There is a difference between military and politics,” Lieutenant-General Siphiwe Sangweni, chief of joint operations in the South African National Defence Force, told a news conference in the eastern port town of Richards Bay.

He said the army was “guided by government” but also needed to learn skills from other military forces to protect South Africa and for use in international peacekeeping operations.

“Yes, there will be other countries who feel differently in how we have approached this, but… all countries are sovereign nations and have a right to handle things (as) they see fit,” he said.

Sangweni said “cooperation and coordination with all other militaries” was “very important”.

More than 350 members of South Africa’s armed forces will take part in the exercises which wind up on February 27. Russia is the “lead” country in the drills, said South Africa.

A Russian military frigate equipped with a powerful Zircon missile system and a Chinese destroyer will be used in the exercises.

The Russian military said in a statement earlier Wednesday that the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” will be used among other things to practise tactics on how to fend off threats to security at sea.

Oleg Gladkiy, a commander and captain with the Russian contingent speaking through a translator, said the exercises will include mutually manoeuvring the three countries’ ships to simulate the liberation of a vessel captured by pirates, and “artillery fire” which would not include the firing of hypersonic missiles.

A joint statement read by a South African official also said no missiles would be fired from the Russian vessel during the exercises.

Brazil is participating as an observer, in the second such exercise involving South Africa, China and Russia.

Tags: chinanaval exerciserussiasouth africa
Previous Post

US says China mulling arming Russia in Ukraine war

Next Post

Russian deputies back Putin over nuclear arms treaty

Related Posts

Australia to get nuclear submarines in new US, British partnership

Australia to buy US nuclear subs in ambitious new pact

March 14, 2023

Australia has unveiled plans to buy up to five US nuclear-powered submarines, then build a new model with US and...

US Navy Installs Next-Gen Network on USS Ronald Reagan

Quad powers concerned over militarisation in Asian seas

March 3, 2023

The United States, Japan, India and Australia expressed concern Friday over the militarization of Asia's waters, in a veiled reference...

Next Post
Putin: Russia battling ‘Western domination’ as Ukraine war grinds on

Russian deputies back Putin over nuclear arms treaty

Latest Defense News

Russian navy in show of strength with 26 new ships this year

Russian navy ‘repelled’ drone attack on Crimea port

March 23, 2023
Officials provide details on building the Space Force, its structure, and operating imperatives

Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ at 40: Battle of the satellites

March 23, 2023
China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi

China diplomatic offensive lays down new challenge for US

March 22, 2023
Hwasong-17 ICBM

North Korea fires ‘long-range’ missile as S. Korea president heads to Japan

March 16, 2023
North Korea fires multiple suspected cruise missiles

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles, Seoul says

March 14, 2023
Australia to get nuclear submarines in new US, British partnership

Australia to buy US nuclear subs in ambitious new pact

March 14, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Indian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Russia and the West
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • Warbirds (Historical, Veteran & Vintage Military Aircraft)
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Ukrainian - Russian War Memes.
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • Royal Danish Navy
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com