World War 3: Russia and China flex military muscles with South Africa in naval mission
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The first part will see the respective countries navy chiefs work out and coordinate their strategies and tactics, while crews carry out onshore training that involves physical training and marching, as well as hand-to-hand combat.
The second part begins on Wednesday, when ships will set out to the open ocean for practical action near the Cape of Good Hope.
Russia is represented by a naval group headed by the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov, while South Africa’s SAS Amatola frigate and China’s Weifang guided-missile frigate will also participate.
The exercises are taking place in a highly strategic part of the world’s oceans and are designed to send a clear message to the West about the growing influence and power of Russia and China.
The naval drills are taking place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
The most important naval and trade routes from Europe, Africa and Asia pass through here, making control over these waters a particularly prized asset for competing international powers.
In an ominous sign for Western allies, a naval drill involving South Africa, France and Germany, which had been planned to take place earlier this year, was postponed and has as yet not been rescheduled.
President Putin has been on a concerted drive to increase Russian influence on the African Continent in recent years.
One way Putin has sought to do that is through the sale of Russian weaponry.
Russia is currently the largest supplier of weapons to Africa and has military co-operation agreements and deals for military and police training with more than half of Africa’s nations.
In October Putin signed yet another deal, this time to supply Nigeria with 12 Mi-35 attack helicopters at a conference of African leaders held in Sochi.
In addition Putin has concluded a series of nuclear technology deals with Egypt, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia.
The Russian President has also sought to increase Russian influence through a shadowy organisation called Wagner, that supplies Russian mercenaries to embattled African leaders.
As well as military personnel, the Wagner Group provides weapons training and supports police and civilian intelligence services in African countries.
A former KGB operative now based in the West described Wagner’s meteoric rise in Africa as one of the most successful GRU (Russian military intelligence) operations of all time.
Documents obtained by the former Russian oligarch and now sworn Putin enemy, Mikhail Khordokovsky, show that Wagner is behind a covert mission to amplify Russian influence in Africa.
The documents show extensive Wagner-linked operations and that the Kremlin plotted to turn Africa into a strategic hub to displace US and European powers.
One of the goals is to see off “pro-western” uprisings — an apparent reference to combating opposition movements.
The documents show “the Company” taking credit for the election of Madagascar’s new president Andry Rajoelina.
Wagner also advised Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on how to crush opposition protests, that took place earlier this year in Khartoum.
The rapid success of the Wagner enterprise has now opened the way for a second generation of Russian private military companies.
Two new companies, Patriot and Sew Security Services, have begun operations in Africa during the past year.
Source: Express Uk
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