The opening ceremony for the trilateral naval drill involving Russia, South Africa, and China took place at Richards Bay port, as reported by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. The event marked the start of coordinated maritime exercises designed to test interoperability among the participating fleets and to strengthen regional maritime security cooperation. Officials on site highlighted the importance of joint training in promoting safety at sea and practical responses to maritime emergencies. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defence attribution]
In terms of force projection, the Russian contingent featured the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, notable for its recent long-range operations and its deployment associated with Zircon hypersonic missiles, along with the medium sea tanker Kama from the Northern Fleet to sustain extended missions. The Chinese lineup included the frigate Rizhao, the destroyer Huainan, and the escort ship Kekesilhu, each bringing a mix of anti‑air, anti‑surface, and anti‑submarine capabilities. The Republic of South Africa contributed the frigate Mendy, providing a versatile platform for air defense, surface warfare, and maritime patrol tasks. Brazil participated as an observer, contributing to a broader understanding of allied procedures and interoperability. [Attribution: official defence briefings and participating navy reports]
From February 25 to 27, the participants will execute a series of coordinated training activities. These include joint artillery and surface-to-surface firing drills, synchronized maneuvering to enhance fleet cohesion, and group operations for rescuing a captured vessel. Additional exercises will focus on delivering aid to a distressed ship, sustaining communications and logistics under simulated combat conditions, and defending against aerial incursions. The drills aim to refine coordinated procedures for search and rescue, shipboard damage control, and the rapid exchange of actionable maritime intelligence among allies. [Source: exercise schedule summaries and defence ministry briefings]
Earlier reports noted that the Admiral Gorshkov, equipped with Zircon missiles, had arrived at Richards Bay ahead of the main exercise phase. The lead vessel’s presence is expected to set the tone for the drill, showcasing Russia’s long‑range strike and maritime operations capabilities while enabling participants to validate interoperable tactics and command-and-control workflows. Observers will have the opportunity to assess how different navies integrate their procedures under a unified exercise framework, with a focus on safety, seamanship, and crisis response. [Cited updates from defence sources and fleet statements]