Ahead of the first joint naval exercise between China, Russia and South Africa the main planning conference was held at SA Navy fleet headquarters in Simon’s Town.
More than 40 senior officers, including Rear Admiral Tskhui Yuzhong from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Rear Admiral Vladimir Zemskov from the Russian Federation Navy (RFN) were present and welcomed by South Africa’s Flag Officer Fleet (FOF), Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana.
The exercise, named Mosi, will take place at the end of November, some six weeks away. At the time of publication no information on participating ships, aircraft and other forces, such as marines, had been released.
According to the SA Navy website the exercise goal is to develop and strengthen relations and friendly co-operation between the armed forces of the three countries. The theme, agreed by all nations involved, is “Joint actions to ensure safety of shipping and maritime economic activity”.
defenceWeb was previously informed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Directorate: Corporate Communications, that the tri-nation naval exercise would focus on the maritime economy, inter-operability and improving relations between participating navies.
The exercise starts with “alongside planning and preparation before sailing to conduct a planned exercise at sea,” the SANDF said in response to an enquiry. The Joint Operations Division “as the custodian of all exercises and operations in the SANDF is finalising a commissioning directive that outlines SA Navy – and other SANDF assets – that will be deployed during the exercise”.
Mosi is the only at sea exercise the South African maritime service will take part in this year as the exercises Oxide with the French naval forces in the Indian Ocean and Good Hope, with the German Navy, have been postponed. Indications are Exercise Oxide will be staged next year with Exercise Good Hope, at present, set for 2022. The rescheduling is by mutual agreement between the countries involved.
