Dean Wingrin
@deanwingrin.bsky.social
Aviation and defense journalist, author, photographer, defenceWeb correspondent and general raconteur.
Iranian warships leave Cape Town. Having completed the maritime Exercise Will for Peace last Friday, Iranian navy corvette Naghdi has only this morning departed Simon's Town harbour. At the same time, forward base ship Makran departed Table Bay Harbour in Cape Town.
January 21, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Iranian warships leave Cape Town. Having completed the maritime Exercise Will for Peace last Friday, Iranian navy corvette Naghdi has only this morning departed Simon's Town harbour. At the same time, forward base ship Makran departed Table Bay Harbour in Cape Town.
Was on PowerFM 987 with Thabiso Tema this am. I said the Navy exercising with Iran despite presidential instructions points to a serious breakdown in civilian oversight, undermines SA's foreign policy & trade interests, & Parly should investigate, not the military.
on.soundcloud.com/opuD4JfFnzXN...
on.soundcloud.com/opuD4JfFnzXN...
PowerFM Ex WfP 2026-01-19
Was on PowerFM 987 with Thabiso Tema this morning. I said the Navy exercising with Iran despite presidential instructions points to a serious breakdown in civilian oversight, undermines SA's foreign p
soundcloud.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Was on PowerFM 987 with Thabiso Tema this am. I said the Navy exercising with Iran despite presidential instructions points to a serious breakdown in civilian oversight, undermines SA's foreign policy & trade interests, & Parly should investigate, not the military.
on.soundcloud.com/opuD4JfFnzXN...
on.soundcloud.com/opuD4JfFnzXN...
The SANDF has deployed a SAAF Oryx helicopter to Mozambique to assist with flood relief work. This is in addition to continuing to provide support to South Africa's flood hit north eastern provinces.
January 19, 2026 at 6:53 AM
The SANDF has deployed a SAAF Oryx helicopter to Mozambique to assist with flood relief work. This is in addition to continuing to provide support to South Africa's flood hit north eastern provinces.
In the political arena, it is all about optics. Not what you do, but what you are seen to be doing.
Iran purposefully and publicly went to sea with the rest of the exercise fleet, to an exercise area in False Bay that is out of eyesight.
/1
Iran purposefully and publicly went to sea with the rest of the exercise fleet, to an exercise area in False Bay that is out of eyesight.
/1
Confirmation that the President gave a "clear instruction on how Ex Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted in particular the participation of... Iran."
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
January 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
In the political arena, it is all about optics. Not what you do, but what you are seen to be doing.
Iran purposefully and publicly went to sea with the rest of the exercise fleet, to an exercise area in False Bay that is out of eyesight.
/1
Iran purposefully and publicly went to sea with the rest of the exercise fleet, to an exercise area in False Bay that is out of eyesight.
/1
Confirmation that the President gave a "clear instruction on how Ex Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted in particular the participation of... Iran."
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
January 16, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Confirmation that the President gave a "clear instruction on how Ex Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted in particular the participation of... Iran."
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
A BoI will establish whether the President's instruction was misrepresented and/or ignored.
Is Iran polluting False Bay? I received a report on Tues that it appeared that the Iranian Navy ship Makran had leaked fuel into False Bay whilst refuelling corvette Naghdi. Now reports of a strong smell of diesel fuel, fuel on the water and discarded Iranian plastic bottles.
January 15, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Is Iran polluting False Bay? I received a report on Tues that it appeared that the Iranian Navy ship Makran had leaked fuel into False Bay whilst refuelling corvette Naghdi. Now reports of a strong smell of diesel fuel, fuel on the water and discarded Iranian plastic bottles.
The BRICS+ member maritime Exercise Will for Peace fleet is waking up to a beautiful Wed morning in False Bay! I also note that the Iranian fleet did not disappear overnight. 😅
They should be heading into the south of the Bay today for further serials.
📷 Doug Drysdale
They should be heading into the south of the Bay today for further serials.
📷 Doug Drysdale
January 14, 2026 at 9:04 AM
The BRICS+ member maritime Exercise Will for Peace fleet is waking up to a beautiful Wed morning in False Bay! I also note that the Iranian fleet did not disappear overnight. 😅
They should be heading into the south of the Bay today for further serials.
📷 Doug Drysdale
They should be heading into the south of the Bay today for further serials.
📷 Doug Drysdale
Sea Phase for maritime Exercise Will for Peace commences today! Herewith a few participants departing Simon's Town base:
- Iranian Naghdi (82)
- Chinese Tangshan (122)
- Russian Stoikiy (F545)
📷 Doug Drysdale
- Iranian Naghdi (82)
- Chinese Tangshan (122)
- Russian Stoikiy (F545)
📷 Doug Drysdale
January 13, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Sea Phase for maritime Exercise Will for Peace commences today! Herewith a few participants departing Simon's Town base:
- Iranian Naghdi (82)
- Chinese Tangshan (122)
- Russian Stoikiy (F545)
📷 Doug Drysdale
- Iranian Naghdi (82)
- Chinese Tangshan (122)
- Russian Stoikiy (F545)
📷 Doug Drysdale
BREAKING: Iranian corvette Naghdi has just emerged from Naval Base Simon’s Town to take part in the Sea Phase of Exercise Will for Peace. Seems multiple reports emanating from within SA govt that Iran had agreed to withdraw was premature.
BREAKING: Iran may have withdrawn from the international BRICS+ Exercise Will for Peace maritime exercise currently underway in South Africa. This after intense pressure was placed on the SA government to ask sanctioned Iran to withdraw. Iran has sent three vessels.
January 13, 2026 at 8:47 AM
BREAKING: Iranian corvette Naghdi has just emerged from Naval Base Simon’s Town to take part in the Sea Phase of Exercise Will for Peace. Seems multiple reports emanating from within SA govt that Iran had agreed to withdraw was premature.
BREAKING: Iran may have withdrawn from the international BRICS+ Exercise Will for Peace maritime exercise currently underway in South Africa. This after intense pressure was placed on the SA government to ask sanctioned Iran to withdraw. Iran has sent three vessels.
January 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM
BREAKING: Iran may have withdrawn from the international BRICS+ Exercise Will for Peace maritime exercise currently underway in South Africa. This after intense pressure was placed on the SA government to ask sanctioned Iran to withdraw. Iran has sent three vessels.
Awesome photos of the SAAFs 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter tackling the Overstrand fires, taken by Rayno Snyman, crewman of the Leading Edge UH-60A Black Hawk.
January 11, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Awesome photos of the SAAFs 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter tackling the Overstrand fires, taken by Rayno Snyman, crewman of the Leading Edge UH-60A Black Hawk.
22 Squadron, SAAF, arrived at first light yesterday in Stanford, Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape to assist in combating the severe fires in the area. It is assisting a civilian fire-fighting UH-60A Black Hawk and UH-1H Hueys.
January 11, 2026 at 8:17 AM
22 Squadron, SAAF, arrived at first light yesterday in Stanford, Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape to assist in combating the severe fires in the area. It is assisting a civilian fire-fighting UH-60A Black Hawk and UH-1H Hueys.
Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 takes place in South African waters. Navies from BRICS Plus countries, including China, Iran and Russia, are part of the joint maritime safety operations and drills. Here's Defence expert, Dean Wingrin.
youtu.be/Voo9MOFgORA?...
youtu.be/Voo9MOFgORA?...
SA hosts major multinational naval exercise: Dean Wingrin
YouTube video by SABC News
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 takes place in South African waters. Navies from BRICS Plus countries, including China, Iran and Russia, are part of the joint maritime safety operations and drills. Here's Defence expert, Dean Wingrin.
youtu.be/Voo9MOFgORA?...
youtu.be/Voo9MOFgORA?...
Was privileged to attend the Opening Parade of international maritime Exercise Will for Peace this morning at Naval Base Simon's Town, Cape Town.
Warships from South Africa (hosting), China (leading), Iran and Russia will participate, with other BRICS nations observing.
Warships from South Africa (hosting), China (leading), Iran and Russia will participate, with other BRICS nations observing.
January 10, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Was privileged to attend the Opening Parade of international maritime Exercise Will for Peace this morning at Naval Base Simon's Town, Cape Town.
Warships from South Africa (hosting), China (leading), Iran and Russia will participate, with other BRICS nations observing.
Warships from South Africa (hosting), China (leading), Iran and Russia will participate, with other BRICS nations observing.
BREAKING: The first Gowind type corvette for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy, Bani Yas (P110), has arrived in Simon's Town, South Africa, for multinational maritime Exercise Will for Peace.
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
BREAKING: The first Gowind type corvette for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy, Bani Yas (P110), has arrived in Simon's Town, South Africa, for multinational maritime Exercise Will for Peace.
Today's arrival in False Bay, Cape Town for Exercise Will for multinational maritime Exercise Will for Peace is RFS Stoykiy (F545), a Steregushchiy-class corvette of the Russian Navy. It is accompanied by Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168).
January 9, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Today's arrival in False Bay, Cape Town for Exercise Will for multinational maritime Exercise Will for Peace is RFS Stoykiy (F545), a Steregushchiy-class corvette of the Russian Navy. It is accompanied by Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168).
SANDF has released photos of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships TANGSHAN and TAIHU arriving at Naval Base Simon’s Town on 7 Jan 2026 for Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026.
The exercise will take place from 9 to 16 January 2026 in South African territorial waters.
The exercise will take place from 9 to 16 January 2026 in South African territorial waters.
January 9, 2026 at 8:04 AM
SANDF has released photos of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships TANGSHAN and TAIHU arriving at Naval Base Simon’s Town on 7 Jan 2026 for Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026.
The exercise will take place from 9 to 16 January 2026 in South African territorial waters.
The exercise will take place from 9 to 16 January 2026 in South African territorial waters.
Iranian forward base ship IRIS Makran arrived in False Bay, Cape Town, this morning for Exercise Will for Peace. In addition to South Africa, Russia and China will participate in next week's maritime exercise.
January 8, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Iranian forward base ship IRIS Makran arrived in False Bay, Cape Town, this morning for Exercise Will for Peace. In addition to South Africa, Russia and China will participate in next week's maritime exercise.
An account from an SANDF member as to what transpired before the white flag was raised at the South African Goma Airport (DRC) base in Jan 2025. Clear that the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels initiated the ceasefire. Proud of our SANDF soldiers.
January 7, 2026 at 3:49 PM
An account from an SANDF member as to what transpired before the white flag was raised at the South African Goma Airport (DRC) base in Jan 2025. Clear that the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels initiated the ceasefire. Proud of our SANDF soldiers.
Naval Drills Underway off South Africa’s Coast
Amy MacIver speaks to Dean Wingrin, defence analyst, who will shed light on the Naval exercise’s purpose.
www.primediaplus.com/china-at-the...
Amy MacIver speaks to Dean Wingrin, defence analyst, who will shed light on the Naval exercise’s purpose.
www.primediaplus.com/china-at-the...
China at the Helm: Naval Drills Underway off South Africa’s Coast
Primedia+ is your brand-new online content hub, home to the iconic radio stations you love 947, 702, Kfm, CapeTalk, and EWN all in one convenient location. It's more than just radio and news, it's an ...
www.primediaplus.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Naval Drills Underway off South Africa’s Coast
Amy MacIver speaks to Dean Wingrin, defence analyst, who will shed light on the Naval exercise’s purpose.
www.primediaplus.com/china-at-the...
Amy MacIver speaks to Dean Wingrin, defence analyst, who will shed light on the Naval exercise’s purpose.
www.primediaplus.com/china-at-the...
Why South Africa Would Struggle to Defend Itself
While an invasion scenario is unlikely, the current state of the SANDF leaves the country poorly positioned to deter or repel any serious external aggression. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dean Wingrin.
omny.fm/shows/powert...
While an invasion scenario is unlikely, the current state of the SANDF leaves the country poorly positioned to deter or repel any serious external aggression. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dean Wingrin.
omny.fm/shows/powert...
Why South Africa Would Struggle to Defend Itself Against an External Attack - POWER Talk
South Africa faces no immediate or credible threat of an external military attack, but its ability to respond to such a threat has been severely weakened by decades of underfunding, declining readines...
omny.fm
January 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Why South Africa Would Struggle to Defend Itself
While an invasion scenario is unlikely, the current state of the SANDF leaves the country poorly positioned to deter or repel any serious external aggression. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dean Wingrin.
omny.fm/shows/powert...
While an invasion scenario is unlikely, the current state of the SANDF leaves the country poorly positioned to deter or repel any serious external aggression. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dean Wingrin.
omny.fm/shows/powert...
Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, and its Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu, arriving in False Bay, Cape Town, for Ex Will for Peace. In addition to South Africa, Russia and Iran will participate in the maritime exercise.
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 052DL guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, and its Type 903A replenishment ship Taihu, arriving in False Bay, Cape Town, for Ex Will for Peace. In addition to South Africa, Russia and Iran will participate in the maritime exercise.
Happy New Year all! 🎉
I truly appreciate the follows and the great discussions. I hope my insights into the SANDF have been helpful as we navigate its hurdles and triumphs together.
Wishing a year of peace and prosperity to all South Africans! 🇿🇦✨
I truly appreciate the follows and the great discussions. I hope my insights into the SANDF have been helpful as we navigate its hurdles and triumphs together.
Wishing a year of peace and prosperity to all South Africans! 🇿🇦✨
December 31, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Happy New Year all! 🎉
I truly appreciate the follows and the great discussions. I hope my insights into the SANDF have been helpful as we navigate its hurdles and triumphs together.
Wishing a year of peace and prosperity to all South Africans! 🇿🇦✨
I truly appreciate the follows and the great discussions. I hope my insights into the SANDF have been helpful as we navigate its hurdles and triumphs together.
Wishing a year of peace and prosperity to all South Africans! 🇿🇦✨
Russian Navy Steregushchiy Class corvette Stoykiy (F545) and its escorting Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168), seen berthed in Walvis Bay, Namibia. They are on their way to Cape Town to participate in next month's naval exercise Will for Peace 2026, together with SA, China & Iran.
December 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Russian Navy Steregushchiy Class corvette Stoykiy (F545) and its escorting Altay Class oiler Yelnya (A168), seen berthed in Walvis Bay, Namibia. They are on their way to Cape Town to participate in next month's naval exercise Will for Peace 2026, together with SA, China & Iran.
The SANDF, for the first time, confirms that the maritime exercise with China, Russia & Iran in Jan in Cape Town will be led by the Chinese. Styled as a BRICS+ ex, it follows earlier ex between SA, Russia & China and some of the original BRICS members want nothing to do with it.
December 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The SANDF, for the first time, confirms that the maritime exercise with China, Russia & Iran in Jan in Cape Town will be led by the Chinese. Styled as a BRICS+ ex, it follows earlier ex between SA, Russia & China and some of the original BRICS members want nothing to do with it.