The navies of China, Russia and South Africa will hold the second joint maritime military exercises in the airspace and waters east of the South Africa from Monday, China's Defense Ministry said on Sunday morning.

"The navies of China, Russia and South Africa will hold the maritime drills in the airspace and sea east of part of South Africa — from Durban to Richards Bay — from Feb 20 to 27, according to the consensus reached by the three countries," the Ministry of National Defense said in a news release.

The exercises are targeted at jointly safeguarding the security of shipping and maritime economic activities, it said.

China has sent three warships which are carrying out the 42nd Chinese naval anti-piracy escort taskforce in the Gulf of Aden — CNS Huainan, CNS Rizhao and CNS Kekexilihu — to participate in the drills, the release said.

"The joint exercise will help further promote defense and security cooperation between BRICS countries and enhance the capacity of participating parties to jointly safeguard maritime security," it said.