South African Navy

History

The South Africa Navy can trace its official origins back to the the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922.

The first ships acquired by the newly formed navy were the HMSAS Protea (a hydrographic survey vessel), the HMSAS Sonneblom and the HMSAS Immortelle (both minesweeping trawlers).

However, the SAN can trace its history even further back, to the Natal Naval Volunteers (NNV), which was formed in Durban on 30 April 1885 as well as the Cape Naval Volunteers (CNV) was formed in Cape Town in 1905. On 1 July 1913 these two units were amalgamated to form the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).

In January 1940 a new naval unit, called the the Seaward Defence Force, was formed. This unit was to be responsible for operating the minesweepers, anti-submarine services and the other examination and signalling duties in South African waters.

The Seaward Defence Force and the South African RNVR were amalgamated on 1 August 1942 to form the South African Naval Forces (SANF).

On 1 May 1946 the SANF was reconstituted as part of the Union of South Africa Defence Force and in 1951 the SA Naval Forces became the SA Navy.

South African sailors and ships took part with distinction in both the First and Second worlds wars.

The SAN also took part in the various internal and border conflicts of South Africa from the 1960s to the early 1990s.

On 27 April 1994 the SA Navy together with the rest of the South African Defence Force (SADF) became part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Current and future ships

Ships currently in service or recently decommissioned

• Warrior (ex Minister) class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) (FAC (M)):
  • SAS Adam Kok (ex SAS Frederic Creswell)
  • SAS Isaac Dyobha (ex SAS Frans Erasmus)
  • SAS Galeshewe (ex SAS Hendrik Mentz)
  • SAS Job Maseko (ex SAS Kobie Coetsee)
  • SAS Makhanda (ex SAS Magnus Malan)

Note: SAS Job Maseko is not in commission and is likely to be withdrawn from service in 2004.

• Spear (ex Daphne) class Submarines (SSK):
  • SAS Spear (ex SAS Maria van Riebeeck)
  • SAS Umkhonto (ex SAS Emily Hobhouse)
  • SAS Assegaai (ex SAS Johanna van der Merwe)

Note: All of these have now apparently been decommissioned.

• Auxilary vessels:
  • SAS Drakensberg Fleet Replenishment Ship (AOR)
  • SAS Outeniqua Fast Lift Ship (AKR)

Note: These two ships each carry at least one Aerospatiale SA 330E/H/J Oryx helicopter.

• Hecla class survey ship (AGS):
  • SAS Protea

• Other vessels:
  • Various combat support ships, mine countermeasure vessels, tugs and a diving support vessel.

Ships on order or being fitted out

• Valour class Frigates (MEKO A-200/SAN) (FSG):
  • SAS Amatola (Has arrived in South Africa, currently being fitted out.)
  • SAS Isandlwana (Currently being built.)
  • SAS Spioenkop Currently being built.)
  • SAS Mendi (Currently being built.)

Notes: These frigates were previously classed as "patrol corvettes" for South African domestic political reasons. They will probably carry one Super Lynx helicopter each.

• Type 209/T.1400 class Submarines (SSK):
  • Three Type 209/T.1400 submarines are currently being built in Germany for the SAN and will be delivered from September 2005 onwards, with a 12 month interval between each delivery.

Abbreviations

• HMSAS: His/Her Majesty's South African Ship
• SAS: South African Ship

External links

• South African Navy home page

Referenced By