Navy Set To Train With Chinese, Russian Ships In February

South Africa has confirmed plans to stage a joint maritime drill with China and Russia next month, reports Agence France-Presse.

More than 350 South African personnel will participate in the Mosi exercise from Feb. 17-27 off the port city of Durban and Richards Bay, according to the South African military. The drills are designed to share operational skills and knowledge.

Opposition leaders in South Africa criticized the planned exercise, calling it "silly" and an opportunity "for Russia ... to showcase its geopolitical influence in southern Africa as part of their global war games against NATO and the U.S.A."

The leaders also noted the poor condition of the South African navy, saying the drills were unlikely to be of much value given the enormous resource restraints on the service, reported Defence Web (South Africa).