South African Navy

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[[Image:250px-South African Navy flag.png|right]]
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[[Image:250px-South African Navy flag.png|250px|thumb|right|South African Navy ensign.]]
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The '''South African Navy''' (SAN) is the branch of the [[South Africa]]n [[:Category:South African Defence Force|military]] tasked with the maritime defense of the nation. It operates bases in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Lüderitz, and Walvis Bay. Vice Admiral Mhlobo ka Tshiwo is the commander of the navy.
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The '''South African Navy''' (SAN) is the branch of the [[South Africa]]n [[:Category:South African Defence Force|military]] tasked with the maritime defense of the nation. Its current commander is Vice Admiral Mhlobo ka Tshiwo.
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==Mission==
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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.
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* Sea patrols of territorial waters
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* Establish presence in disputed territorial waters and protect current interests
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* Anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, search and rescue
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* Maintain security of territorial waters
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* Active logistical support role of combatants and island garrisons
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* Maintain security of Sea Lines of Communications
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Wartime
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The navy's primary missions include sea patrols of territorial waters; providing naval defense for regional countries; anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations; protection of the Cape Sea Route; search and rescue missions; and preventing illegal entry into the country.
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* Littoral defense of local seas
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* Blockade or protection of vital ship routes and choke points
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* Tactical transport, support, and amphibious operations of ground forces
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* Air defense
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* Anti-submarine operations
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* Engagement of enemy shipping
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* Active logistical support role of combatants and island garrisons
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==The fleet==
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As of 2008, the SAN currently employs 125,000 active duty personnel (including the 5,000-personnel strong South African Marine Corps), with another 3,000 in reserve. The SAN operates 80 active-duty ships and about 125 aircraft.
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===Surface combatants===
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* 8 Ticonderoga class cruisers
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** 1 Sikorsky HH-60H Rescue Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter
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** 1 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multimission maritime helicopter
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* 20 Arleigh Burke class destroyers
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** 1 Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk surface warfare helicopter
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** 1 Sikorsky SH-60F Oceanhawk anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue helicopter
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* 30 Valour class frigates
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** 1 Westland Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
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* 25 Warrior class fast attack craft
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* 15 Minister class fast attack craft
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** 1 Eurocopter Panther AS AS 565 AA/AB attack helicopter
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** 1 Eurocopter Panther AS 565 SA/SB anti-submarine warfare helicopter
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===Aircraft carriers===
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==Units==
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* 2 Gerald R. Ford class supercarriers
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===Navy Office===
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** 50 Dassault Rafale M multirole fighters
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SAS ''Immortelle'', located in Pretoria.
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** 15 Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard carrier-borne strike fighters
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** 5 EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft
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** 4 C-12 Huron RC-12D electronic surveillance aircraft
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** 4 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW aircraft
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** 2 ES-3A Shadow ELINT aircraft
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** 2 C-2 Greyhound carrier borne transports
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** 6 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk multimission maritime helicopters
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*** 2 SH-60B Seahawk surface warfare helicopters
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*** 2 SH-60F Oceanhawk anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue helicopters
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*** 2 HH-60H Rescue Hawk combat search and rescue helicopters
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** 12 Eurocopter Panther utility helicopters
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*** 3 AS 565 MA/MB naval search and rescue helicopters
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*** 3 AS 565 SA/SB anti-submarine warfare helicopters
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*** 3 AS 565 N3 maritime patrol and surveillance helicopters
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*** 3 Panther 800 light utility helicopters
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* 1 Kitty Hawk class aircraft carrier
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** 45 T-45 Goshawk naval trainers
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*** 30 T-45A two-seat basic and advanced jet trainers
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*** 15 T-45Cs (improved version of the T-45A)
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** 10 TAV-8B Harrier II two-seat trainers
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** 10 Bell Griffin HT1 advanced training helicopters
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** 15 TC-12B naval trainers
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===Submarines===
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===Fleet Command Headquarters===
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* 20 Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarines
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Located in Cape Town.
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* 15 Scorpène class diesel-electric attack submarines
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* 2 Vanguard class SSBNs
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* 2 Ohio class SSGNs
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* 3 Los Angeles class SSNs
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===Amphibious forces===
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===Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre===
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* 7 LHD-1 Wasp class amphibious assault ships
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Located in a bunker at Silvermine.
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* 4 LPD 4 Austin class Landing Port, Dock (LPD)
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* 8 San Antonio class Landing Port, Dock (LPD)
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* 8 Newport class Landing Ship, Tank (LST)
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===Auxillaries===
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===Naval Bases===
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* 6 Supply class fast combat support ships
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*SAS ''Saldanha'' (Located on the west coast and houses the Naval Gymnasium.)
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* 7 Drakensberg fleet replenishment ships
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*SAS ''Wingfield'' (Located in the Greater Cape Town area. Houses the Naval Armaments Depot and workshops.)
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** 1 Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopter
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*Naval Base Cape Town
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* 7 T-AO 187 Henry J. Kaiser class oilers
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*Naval Base Port Elizabeth
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* 11 Huon class mine hunters
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*Naval Base East London
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* 11 Alta class minesweepers
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*Naval Base Durban
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* 4 Hecla class survey ships
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*Naval Base Simonstown
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* 5 seaplane oilers
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*Naval Base Lüderitz
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* 5 DSRVs
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*Naval Base Walvis Bay
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* 6 RORO ships
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* 5 hospital ships
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* 4 Stalwart class tactical auxiliary general ocean surveillance ships
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* 7 T-AKR 287 Algol SL-7 Type fast sealift ships
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* Various tankers and other support craft
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==Organization==
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===South African Marine Corps===
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The navy is organized into several operational fleets, which are as follows:
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The South Africa Marine Corps (SAMC) was set up as a sub-branch of the Navy in 1979, with the primary purpose of protecting harbors. Marines were also deployed at Katima Mulilo in Namibia during the Angolan Civil War, where they were responsible for patrolling the Zambezi River. The Marines also acted as regular infantry at the border as well as performing counter-insurgency operations inside Angola in support of UNITA.
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===Amphibious fleet===
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The Marines have an amphibious landing capability by operating from SAS ''Willem van Oranje'', SAS ''Filips Willem van Oranje'', and SAS ''Junker''. An elite company, named the Marine Amphibious Company (MAC), exists to ensure the beach-head capability for landing large task forces.
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The amphibious fleet has permanently assigned amphibious vessels to transport Army personnel. A small number of frigates are assigned to the fleet on a short-term basis to act as escorts.
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===Battle fleet===
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The Marines also field a small elite reconnaissance detachment, under the direct control of the Marine CO, that receives airborne, diver, and urban counter-meassures training from units of the [[South African Army|Army]].
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The battle fleet is comprised of the majority of the navy's destroyers, frigates, and corvettes, assigned on a long-term basis.
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===Aviation fleet===
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===Navy Reserve===
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The aviation fleet is assigned aircraft carriers, which are escorted by destroyers and frigates (assigned on a long-term basis).
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The South African Navy Reserve, modeled on the Royal Naval Reserve unit system, consists of 3,000 reserve posts. These posts are pooled and members drawn from them as needed to augment full-time units and ships' companies.
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===Submarine fleet===
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===South African Coast Guard===
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The navy's submarines are all assigned to this fleet - as can be surmised by the name.
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The South African Coast Guard, which operates the Navy's patrol vessels, is responsible for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, protection of natural resources, and maritime security. One of its most important duties is preventing illegal entry into the country; it has units deployed in Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, and along the Mozambican coast for this. Members receive both military and law enforcement training (mostly the latter), and are lightly armed with pistols, carbines, submachine guns, and other light weapons.
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==Naval aviation==
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===South African Naval Aviation===
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The navy also has a large aviation element, comprising numerous aircraft. They are as follows (note that these do not include aircraft stationed on carriers and other ships, or aircraft assigned to the Marine Corps or Coast Guard):
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South African Naval Aviation is responsible for providing aerial transport, reconnaissance, and air support for the other units of the Navy. It operates a variety of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft to accomplish its missions.
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* Dassault Rafale multirole fighter
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==Inventory==
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** Rafale M: Naval version
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===Ships (80 in service)===
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* Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard carrier-borne strike fighter
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====Destroyers (3 in service)====
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* CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopter
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*3 Hoofstad class guided missile destroyers (modified Type 42 class)
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* MH-53E Sea Dragon mine countermeasures helicopter
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**SAS ''Pretoria''
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* Eurocopter Panther utility helicopter
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**SAS ''Bloemfontein''
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** AS 565 UA/UB: Utility version
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**SAS ''Cape Town''
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** AS 565 AA/AB: Attack version
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** AS 565 MA/MB: Naval search and rescue version
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** AS 565 SA/SB: Anti-submarine warfare version
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** AS 565 N3: Maritime patrol and surveillance version
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** Panther 800: Light utility version
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* AV-8 Harrier II STOVL jet multirole aircraft
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** AV-8B Harrier II: Night attack version
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** AV-8C Harrier: Upgraded version
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** TAV-8B Harrier II: Two-seat trainer version
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** BAE Harrier II: STOVL strike aircraft
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* Agusta A109 utility helicopter
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** A109A Mk.II MAX: Aeromedical evacuation version
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** MH-68A Stingray: Short range armed interdiction version
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* Bell 412 multipurpose utility helicopter
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** Bell Griffin HT1: Advanced training version
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** Bell Griffin HAR2: Search and rescue version
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** Agusta-Bell AB 412 Grifone: Military utility transport version
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* Westland Lynx helicopter
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** Super Lynx 300: Maritime attack version
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* Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk multimission maritime helicopter
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** SH-60B Seahawk: Surface warfare version
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** SH-60F Oceanhawk: Anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue version
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** HH-60H Rescue Hawk: Combat search and rescue version
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** MH-60S Knighthawk: Transport and vertical replenishment version
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** MH-60R Seahawk: Multimission version
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* Lockheed S-3 Viking anti-submarine aircraft
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** ES-3A Shadow: ELINT version
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** KS-3A: Air tanker version
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** KS-3B: Air tanker version
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** US-3A: COD version
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* E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft
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** E-2C: Improved version with new electronics, surveillance radar, and search radar
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** E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: Latest version
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* EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft
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* C-2 Greyhound carrier borne transport
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* C-12 Huron civil utility aircraft
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** TC-12B: Navy training version
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** RC-12D: Electronic surveillance version
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* P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft
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** UP-3A: Utility transport version
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** EP-3E Aries II: ELINT version
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** EP-3J: FEWSG version
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** P-3N: Coast guard version
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** CP-140 Aurora: Longe-range maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare version
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* T-45 Goshawk naval trainer
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** T-45A: Two-seat basic and advanced jet trainer
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** T-45B: Land-based version
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** T-45C: Improved T-45A with glass cockpit, inertial navigation, and other improvements
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==Marine Corps==
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====Frigates (12 in service)====
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The South African Marine Corps (SAMC) is a naval amphibious force responsible for providing power projection from the sea utilizing the mobility of the navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. The SAMC has the unique ability to rapidly deploy a combined-arms task force to almost anywhere in the world within days. The basic structure for all deployed units is a marine air-ground task force that integrates a ground combat component, an air component, and a logistics combat component under a common command element. The SAMC are elite, highly-mobile troops whose capabilities are matched by few.
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*8 Valour class frigates
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**SAS ''Vaal''
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**SAS ''Umzimkulu''
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**SAS ''Limpopo''
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**SAS ''Elsieskraal''
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**SAS ''Liesbeek''
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**SAS ''Maputo''
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**SAS ''Orange''
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**SAS ''Umfolozi''
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*4 Transvaal class frigates (modified Karel Doorman class)
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**SAS ''Marthinus Wessel Pretorius''
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**SAS ''Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg''
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**SAS ''Thomas François Burgers''
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**SAS ''Paul Kruger''
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===Combat units===
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====Fast attack craft (9 in service)====
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====Active units====
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*9 Askari class missile boats (modified Sa'ar 4.5 class)
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* 4 seaborne infantry divisions
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**SAS ''Mageba''
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* 6 special operations forces battalions
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**SAS ''Ndaba''
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* 1 naval aviation brigade
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**SAS ''Jama''
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**SAS ''Senzangakhona''
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**SAS ''Shaka''
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**SAS ''Dingane''
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**SAS ''Mpande''
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**SAS ''Cetshwayo''
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**SAS ''Dinuzulu''
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====Reserve units====
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====Submarines (3 in service)====
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* 2 seaborne infantry division
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*3 Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarines
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* 3 special operations forces battalions
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**SAS ''Manthatisi''
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* 2 naval aviation regiments
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**SAS ''Charlotte Maxeke''
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**SAS ''Queen Modjadji''
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===Combat unit types===
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====Mine countermeasures vessels (8 in service)====
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====Seaborne infantry====
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*4 Umzimkulu class coastal mine hunters
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A light, easily-deployable division that is organizationally and structurally similar to a [[South_African_Army#Light_infantry_division|light infantry]] division, seaborne infantry units have excellent tactical mobility, strong armaments, and minimal logistical requirements, but suffer poor protection. The main difference between seaborne and light infantry are that the former employs amphibious vehicles and deploys from naval vessels, rather than by land transports (as can be surmised by their name).
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**SAS ''Umkomaas''
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**SAS ''Umhloti''
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**SAS ''Umgeni''
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**SAS ''Umzimkulu''
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*4 City class coastal minesweepers
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**SAS ''Tshwane''
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**SAS ''Mangaung''
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**SAS ''Kapa''
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**SAS ''Thekwini''
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====Special operations forces====
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====Patrol vessels (34 in service)====
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The special operations forces conduct specialized operations such as reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism actions. Units are typically composed of relatively small groups of highly-trained personnel equipped with specialist equipment and armament, operating under principles of self-sufficiency, stealth, speed, and close teamwork.
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*3 T Craft class inshore patrol vessels
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**SAS ''Tobie''
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**SAS ''Tern''
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**SAS ''Tekwane''
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*31 Namacurra class small harbor patrol boats
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====Naval aviation====
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====Auxiliary vessels (2 in service)====
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The naval aviation units provide heavy lift capabilities, reconnaissance, and fire support for other units of the Marine Corps.
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*SAS ''Drakensberg'' fleet replenishment ship
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*SAS ''Outeniqua'' logistic support ship
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===Equipment===
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====Amphibious warfare vessels (3 in service)====
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====Individual weapons====
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*2 Rotterdam class amphibious transport docks
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* R4 assault rifle
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**SAS ''Willem van Oranje''
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** R5 carbine
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**SAS ''Filips Willem van Oranje''
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** R6 mini-assault rifle
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*1 Barbe class utility landing craft
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* Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle
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**SAS ''Junker''
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* Vektor SS-77 general purpose machine gun
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* BXP submachine gun
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* FN Minimi light machine gun
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* Milkor MGL semi-automatic grenade launcher
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* RBS 70 MANPADS
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* Armsel Striker shotgun
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* Vector Z88 pistol
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* Heckler & Koch P9S suppressed pistol
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* Heckler & Koch P11 underwater pistol
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* Denel NTW-20 20mm sniper rifle
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* Galat'z designated marksman rifle
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* Accuracy International Arctic Warfare folding sniper rifle
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* Starstreak lightweight multiple launcher
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====Armored vehicles====
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====Tugs (3 in service)====
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* See Leeu Main Battle Tank<sup>1</sup>
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*SAS ''De Mist'' coastal tug
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* Stridsvagn 103 Amphibious Main Battle Tank
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*SAS ''De Neys'' harbor tug
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* Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie Armored Fighting Vehicle
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*SAS ''Umalusi'' harbor tug
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** VCI: Infantry combat vehicle
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** VCP: Command post vehicle
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* Véhicule Blindé Léger 4x4 All-Terrain Vehicle
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** VBL MILAN: Anti-tank medium range (up to 2000 meters)
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** VBL ERYX: Anti-tank short range (up to 600 meters)
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** VB2L POSTE DE COMMANDEMENT: Command version
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** VBL RECO 12.7: Reconnaissance version
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** VBL AT4CS: Anti-tank short range (<250 meters)
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* AMX-10P Infantry Fighting Vehicle
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** AMX-10P: Variant with Milan or HOT ATGM launcher
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** AMX-10P/Milan: ATGM launcher vehicle, with two launchers
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** AMX/HOT: ATGM launcher vehicle (Toucan II turret, 4 launchers)
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** AMX-10 TM: Mortar carrier towing 120mm RT-61 mortar
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** AMX-10 PAC 90: Fire support/AT variant with Giat 90mm gun
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** AMX-10P Marine: Improved swim variant w/ 12.7/25/90mm gun
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** AMX-10 PC: Command variant with varied command stations
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** AMX-10 RC: Wheeled (6x6) fire support vehicle with 105mm gun
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* Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé Armored Personnel Carrier
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** Armored personnel carrier
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** Anti-tank missile launcher (HOT missiles)
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** 12.7mm turret
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** 20mm turret
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* LAV 25 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier
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** LAV-AT: Anti-tank variant
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** LAV-M: Mortar-equipped variant
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** LAV-AD: Air defense variant
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** LAV-R: Recovery variant
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** LAV-C2: Command variant
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** LAV-LOG: Logistics variant
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** LAV-MEWSS: Electronic warfare variant
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** LAV-EFSS: Fire support variant
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* Sisu Pasi Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier
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** Sisu XA-180: Original version
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** Sisu XA-181: Air defense variant
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** Sisu XA-202: Command version
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* Petit Véhicule Protégé Armored Car
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<sup>1</sup>Amphibious variant of the Leeu MBT.
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===Artillery===
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====Other vessels (3 in service)====
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* G1 88mm towed artillery
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*1 hydrographic survey vessel
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* G2 140mm towed artillery
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*1 diving support vessel
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* G4 155mm towed artillery
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*1 Antarctic transport
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* G5 155mm towed howitzer
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* G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer
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* G7 105mm towed howitzer
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* Condor 155mm truck-mounted artillery piece
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* M40A1 106mm recoilless launcher
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* Bateleur 127mm 40 tube multiple rocket launcher
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* Valkiri-22 24 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
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* Valkiri-5 towed multiple rocket launcher
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* M167 Vulcan air defense gun
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* Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun
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* Oerlikon 35mm anti-aircraft gun
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* Skysweeper 75mm anti-aircraft gun
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* M224 60mm lightweight mortar
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* Brandt 60mm long-range gun-mortar
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* M252 81mm medium mortar
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* Vasliyek 82mm automatic mortar
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* M120 120mm mortar
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====Missiles====
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===Aircraft===
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* Crotale surface-to-air missile
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====Helicopters====
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* Mistral surface-to-air missile
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*Aérospatiale SA 321L Super Frelon heavy transport helicopter
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* Umkhonto surface-to-air missile
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*Agusta A109 LUH SAR/utility helicopter
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* MILAN anti-tank missile
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*Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopter
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* Euromissile HOT anti-tank missile
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*MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A utility/transport helicopter
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* Ingwe anti-tank missile
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*Westland Lynx helicopter
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**Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
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*Eurocopter Dauphin utility/transport helicopter
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**AS 365F1 utility helicopter
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**AS 565MA/MB naval search and rescue helicopter
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**AS 565SA/SB ASW helicopter
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====Aircraft====
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====Fixed-wing====
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* BAE Harrier II STOVL strike aircraft
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*CASA C-212 Aviocar 200M maritime patrol aircraft
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* OH-58 Kiowa observation/scout helicopter
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*CASA CN-235 MPA maritime patrol aircraft
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** OH-58A Kiowa: Four place observation helicopter
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** OH-58C: Equipped with a more robust engine
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** OH-58D: Features additional mission capability of target acquisition and laser designation
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** Kiowa Warrior: Armed version of the OH-58D Kiowa
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* Westland Lynx military utility helicopter
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** Super Lynx 300: Maritime attack version
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* Sikorsky SH-60F Oceanhawk ASW and search and rescue helicopter
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* Agusta A109 search and rescue/utility helicopter
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** A109LUH light utility helicopter
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** A109 A109A Mk.II MAX aeromedical evacuation helicopter
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** A109K2 search and rescue/air ambulance helicopter
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* CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopter
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* Eurocopter Panther military utility helicopter
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** AS 565 MA/MB: Naval search and rescue version
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** AS 565 SA/SB: ASW version
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** AS 565 CA: Anti-tank version
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==Coast Guard==
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The South African Coast Guard (SACG) is a branch of the South African Navy tasked with defending the nation's coasts, harbors, rivers, and lakes. Its duties include, but are not limited to: Maritime law enforcement; anti-smuggling and anti-piracy; interdiction of illegal immigration by sea; search and rescue; aids to navigation; mariner assistance; protection of natural resources; and national defense (alongside the SAN). The SACG currently operates 230 boats in addition to numerous aircraft.
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===Equipment===
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====Individual weapons====
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* Vektor Z88 pistol
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* Heckler & Koch P9S suppressed pistol
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* Heckler & Koch P11 underwater pistol
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* Armsel Striker shotgun
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* R4 assault rifle
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** R5 carbine
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** R6 mini-assault rifle
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====Boats====
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* Motor Life Boat (MLB) - 25
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* Utility Boat (UTB) - 18
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* Deployable Pursuit Boat (DPB) - 12
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* Aids to Navigation Boats (ANB) - 15
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* Transportable Port Security Boat (TPSB) - 10
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* Short Range Prosecutor (SRP) - 15
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* Long Range Interceptor (LRI) - 15
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* SACG Defender - 42
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* Patrol Boat, River (PBR) - 30
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* Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) - 20
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* Combat Boat 90 military assault craft - 20
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* Cyclone class patrol ships - 4
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* Fremantle class patrol boats - 2
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* Armidale class patrol boats - 2
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-
 
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====Aircraft====
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* Eurocopter Panther military utility helicopter
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-
** AS 565 UA/UB: Utility version
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** AS 565 MA/MB: Naval search and rescue version
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* Agusta A109 search and rescue/utility helicopter
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** A109LUH light utility helicopter
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** A109 A109A Mk.II MAX aeromedical evacuation helicopter
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** A109K2 search and rescue/air ambulance helicopter
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* Bell 412 multipurpose utility helicopter
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** Bell Griffin HAR2 search and rescue helicopter
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* SH-60 Seahawk multimission maritime helicopter
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** MH-60R Seahawk: Latest version
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* P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft
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** P-3N: Modified for coast guard missions
+
[[Category:Navies]]
[[Category:Navies]]
[[Category:South African Defence Force|Navy, South African]]
[[Category:South African Defence Force|Navy, South African]]

Current revision as of 09:27, 18 June 2012

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 current commander is Vice Admiral Mhlobo ka Tshiwo.

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; providing naval defense for regional countries; anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations; protection of the Cape Sea Route; search and rescue missions; and preventing illegal entry into the country.

As of 2008, the SAN currently employs 125,000 active duty personnel (including the 5,000-personnel strong South African Marine Corps), with another 3,000 in reserve. The SAN operates 80 active-duty ships and about 125 aircraft.

Contents

[edit] Units

[edit] Navy Office

SAS Immortelle, located in Pretoria.

[edit] Fleet Command Headquarters

Located in Cape Town.

[edit] Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

Located in a bunker at Silvermine.

[edit] Naval Bases

  • SAS Saldanha (Located on the west coast and houses the Naval Gymnasium.)
  • SAS Wingfield (Located in the Greater Cape Town area. Houses the Naval Armaments Depot and workshops.)
  • Naval Base Cape Town
  • Naval Base Port Elizabeth
  • Naval Base East London
  • Naval Base Durban
  • Naval Base Simonstown
  • Naval Base Lüderitz
  • Naval Base Walvis Bay

[edit] South African Marine Corps

The South Africa Marine Corps (SAMC) was set up as a sub-branch of the Navy in 1979, with the primary purpose of protecting harbors. Marines were also deployed at Katima Mulilo in Namibia during the Angolan Civil War, where they were responsible for patrolling the Zambezi River. The Marines also acted as regular infantry at the border as well as performing counter-insurgency operations inside Angola in support of UNITA.

The Marines have an amphibious landing capability by operating from SAS Willem van Oranje, SAS Filips Willem van Oranje, and SAS Junker. An elite company, named the Marine Amphibious Company (MAC), exists to ensure the beach-head capability for landing large task forces.

The Marines also field a small elite reconnaissance detachment, under the direct control of the Marine CO, that receives airborne, diver, and urban counter-meassures training from units of the Army.

[edit] Navy Reserve

The South African Navy Reserve, modeled on the Royal Naval Reserve unit system, consists of 3,000 reserve posts. These posts are pooled and members drawn from them as needed to augment full-time units and ships' companies.

[edit] South African Coast Guard

The South African Coast Guard, which operates the Navy's patrol vessels, is responsible for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, protection of natural resources, and maritime security. One of its most important duties is preventing illegal entry into the country; it has units deployed in Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, and along the Mozambican coast for this. Members receive both military and law enforcement training (mostly the latter), and are lightly armed with pistols, carbines, submachine guns, and other light weapons.

[edit] South African Naval Aviation

South African Naval Aviation is responsible for providing aerial transport, reconnaissance, and air support for the other units of the Navy. It operates a variety of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft to accomplish its missions.

[edit] Inventory

[edit] Ships (80 in service)

[edit] Destroyers (3 in service)

  • 3 Hoofstad class guided missile destroyers (modified Type 42 class)
    • SAS Pretoria
    • SAS Bloemfontein
    • SAS Cape Town

[edit] Frigates (12 in service)

  • 8 Valour class frigates
    • SAS Vaal
    • SAS Umzimkulu
    • SAS Limpopo
    • SAS Elsieskraal
    • SAS Liesbeek
    • SAS Maputo
    • SAS Orange
    • SAS Umfolozi
  • 4 Transvaal class frigates (modified Karel Doorman class)
    • SAS Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
    • SAS Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg
    • SAS Thomas François Burgers
    • SAS Paul Kruger

[edit] Fast attack craft (9 in service)

  • 9 Askari class missile boats (modified Sa'ar 4.5 class)
    • SAS Mageba
    • SAS Ndaba
    • SAS Jama
    • SAS Senzangakhona
    • SAS Shaka
    • SAS Dingane
    • SAS Mpande
    • SAS Cetshwayo
    • SAS Dinuzulu

[edit] Submarines (3 in service)

  • 3 Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarines
    • SAS Manthatisi
    • SAS Charlotte Maxeke
    • SAS Queen Modjadji

[edit] Mine countermeasures vessels (8 in service)

  • 4 Umzimkulu 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

[edit] Patrol vessels (34 in service)

  • 3 T Craft class inshore patrol vessels
    • SAS Tobie
    • SAS Tern
    • SAS Tekwane
  • 31 Namacurra class small harbor patrol boats

[edit] Auxiliary vessels (2 in service)

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

[edit] Amphibious warfare vessels (3 in service)

  • 2 Rotterdam class amphibious transport docks
    • SAS Willem van Oranje
    • SAS Filips Willem van Oranje
  • 1 Barbe class utility landing craft
    • SAS Junker

[edit] Tugs (3 in service)

  • SAS De Mist coastal tug
  • SAS De Neys harbor tug
  • SAS Umalusi harbor tug

[edit] Other vessels (3 in service)

  • 1 hydrographic survey vessel
  • 1 diving support vessel
  • 1 Antarctic transport

[edit] Aircraft

[edit] Helicopters

  • Aérospatiale SA 321L Super Frelon heavy transport helicopter
  • Agusta A109 LUH SAR/utility helicopter
  • Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopter
  • MBB/Kawasaki BK 117A utility/transport helicopter
  • Westland Lynx helicopter
    • Super Lynx 300 maritime attack helicopter
  • Eurocopter Dauphin utility/transport helicopter
    • AS 365F1 utility helicopter
    • AS 565MA/MB naval search and rescue helicopter
    • AS 565SA/SB ASW helicopter

[edit] Fixed-wing

  • CASA C-212 Aviocar 200M maritime patrol aircraft
  • CASA CN-235 MPA maritime patrol aircraft
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