South African Navy

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Revision as of 02:20, 16 July 2008

South African Navy ensign.

The South African Navy (SAN) is the branch of the South African military tasked with the maritime defense of the nation. Its primary bases are located in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Lüderitz, and Walvis Bay. Vice Admiral Mhlobo ka Tshiwo is the commander of the navy.

Classified as a medium navy, the South African Navy is nevertheless the strongest navy in Africa, and one of the best in the world. It is rapidly being modernized into a full blue water navy.

The navy's primary missions include sea patrols of territorial waters; anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations; protection of the Cape Sea Route; search and rescue missions; and preventing illegal entry into the country. The navy employs small riverine patrol craft, deployed at bases on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi, to accomplish the latter mission.

South Africa purchased its first aircraft carrier (Clemenceau (R 98)) from France in 2002; current plans are underway to develop an indigenous aircraft carrier, as well as other vessels.

As of 2008, the SAN currently employs 120,000 active duty personnel (with another 3,000 in reserve) and has 103 ships in service, and operates 180-200 aircraft.

Inventory

Ships (103 in service)

Aircraft carriers (1 in service)

• SAS Jan Smuts (formerly Clemenceau (R 98))

Destroyers (4 in service)

• 4 Type 42 guided missile destroyers
  • SAS Paul Kruger
  • SAS Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
  • SAS Martinus Theunis Steyn
  • SAS Josias Philip Hoffman

Frigates (11 in service)

• 8 Valour class frigates
  • SAS Vaal
  • SAS Umzimkulu
  • SAS Limpopo
  • SAS Elsieskraal
  • SAS Liesbeek
  • SAS Maputo
  • SAS Orange
  • SAS Umfolozi
• 3 D'Estienne d'Orves class frigates
  • SAS Pretoria
  • SAS Bloemfontein
  • SAS Cape Town

Fast attack craft (9 in service)

• 9 Minister class fast attack craft (modified Sa'ar 4.5 class)
  • SAS Isaac Dyobha
  • SAS Galeshewe
  • SAS Makhanda
  • SAS Mendi
  • SAS Plaatje
  • SAS Dube
  • SAS Makgatho
  • SAS Jhaveri
  • SAS Mahabane

Submarines (6 in service)

• 3 Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarines
  • SAS Manthatisi
  • SAS Charlotte Maxeke
  • SAS Queen Modjadji
• 3 Daphné class diesel-electric patrol submarines
  • SAS Spear
  • SAS Umkhonto
  • SAS Assegai

Mine countermeasures vessels (8 in service)

• 4 River class coastal mine hunters
  • SAS Umkomaas
  • SAS Umhloti
  • SAS Umgeni
  • SAS Umzimkulu
• 4 City class coastal minesweepers
  • SAS Tshwane
  • SAS Mangaung
  • SAS Kapa
  • SAS Thekwini

Auxiliary vessels (2 in service)

• SAS Drakensberg fleet replenishment ship
• SAS Outeniqua logistic support ship

Other vessels (62 in service)

• 3 amphibious warfare vessels
• 1 hydrographic survey vessel
• 1 diving support vessel
• 1 Antarctic transport
• 3 tugs
• 3 inshore patrol vessels
• 20 small harbor patrol boats
• 30 riverine patrol boats

Aircraft

Helicopters

• Agusta A109 LUH SAR/utility helicopter
• MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A utility/transport helicopter
• Westland Lynx helicopter
  • Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
• Westland Sea King helicopter
  • Sea King ASaC.7 AEW helicopter
  • Sea King HAR.5 SAR helicopter
  • Sea King HAS.6 ASW helicopter
  • Sea King HAS.6(CR) utility helicopter

Fixed-wing

• CASA C-212 Aviocar 200M maritime patrol aircraft
• CASA CN-235 MPA maritime patrol aircraft
• Sea Harrier FA2 V/STOL attack aircraft