The Department of Defence said on Friday that its joint naval exercise with Russia and China will be postponed this year, owing to the upcoming G20 activities planned under South Africa’s Presidency for November.  

The department explained that the military exercises take place between BRICS countries every two years and that this year’s drill, hosted by China, takes place during the G20 Leader’s Summit in November.

The department said it was liaising with its Chinese counterparts for a postponement of the military exercise.

“This is to ensure that the exercises do not impact on the logistical, security and other arrangements associated with South Africa’s G20 Presidency. South Africa’s participation in military exercises of this nature with various countries is part of the furtherance of sound multilateral and bilateral relations. As it has in the past, South Africa continues to hold joint military exercises with a broad range of countries,” it explained.