Presidential Fleet Review
The South African Navy will host the Presidential Fleet Review on 05 September 2008 in Simon’s Town. The aim of the Fleet Review is to introduce the new South African Navy to the Commander in Chief, President T.M. Mbeki and the people of South Africa.
During the Presidential Fleet Review, the South African Navy will demonstrate its broad range of capabilities to the South African nation to show case its readiness to protect our national interests and sovereign integrity.
Read more at: www.navy.mil.za
SITREPS Operation Siphele
On the official SA Navy website the SITREPS from SAS Protea being on her way to Germany to bring the third submarine to South Africa are available.
Video of Exercise Good Hope III
To play the videos, you need QuickTime installed on your computer.
Die Burger has made available a video taken during Exercise Good Hope III:
Source: Die Burger
Picture of Arrival of FGS Köln for Excercise Good Hope III
One more picture of the ships participating in Exercise Good Hope III is available:
The German Navy Frigate 211, FGS Köln, photographed as the vessel arrives outside Simon’s Town Naval Harbour at 08h50 this morning (Sunday 17 February 2008). In the background is the German Navy Transport vessel A1435, Westerwald, which arrived in Simon’s Town last week, and on the left is the white-hulled South African Hydrographic Survey vessel SAS Protea.
FGS Köln is one of eight Bremen class frigates that were commissioned between 1982 and 1990. The ships are based at Wilhelmshaven, forming the 4. Fregattengeschwader (4th Frigate Squadron) of the German Navy. - Image: David Erickson
Source: ports.co.za
Navy Fires Exocets
The South African Navy will fire Exocet surface to surface missiles on board the frigates SAS AMATOLA and SAS ISANDLWANA on Thursday 01, November 2007. The missiles will be fired as part of the South African Navy’s annual Fleet’s combat preparation exercise called RED LION, which started on Monday 22, October 2007.
The objective of the preparation exercise is to enhance the capabilities of South Africa National Defence to ensure global maritime safety and security in the Southern African region and to provide an opportunity for the South African Navy to hone its skills in numerous maritime disciplines. This year’s Exercise RED LION will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will concentrate on the simulation exercises which will be conducted in the West Coast area and the second phase will culminate in the firing of missiles at sea.
The South African Navy’s Task Group will comprise of hydrographic vessel SAS PROTEA, VALOUR CLASS Frigates, SAS AMATOLA, SAS ISANDLWANA, SAS SPIOENKOP, SAS MENDI and the HEROINE CLASS Submarine SAS MANTHATISI, a WARRIOR CLASS strike craft, SAS GALESHEWE, ISAACK DYOBHA and the Mine Warfare vessels SAS UMKOMAAS and SAS UMHLOTI. Elements of the South Air Force, Army Special Forces and South Military Health Services will also be involved in the exercise. The main objectives to be achieved during the military exercise are as follows:
· To evaluate the Fleet’s combat readiness in multi- threat scenario.
· To evaluate and develop Operational Boat Squadron and Operational Diving Team capabilities.
· To evaluate the capability of the Fleet Command to support forces of distant and sustained deployment.
The target will be a derelict mine warfare [ex Federal German Ship Konstanz – M1081] vessel that is no longer in use. Exercise RED LION will end on Friday 23, November 2007. During exercise RED LION, all safety procedures will be adhered to ensure safety of personnel and marine life. [The Konstanz was acquired in 2000 along with five sister vessels of whom four were commissioned into South African service. The Konstanz was retained for spares].
Source: SA Navy
Exercise Whippet - successful combined tactical firing of Exocet missiles
The South African Navy conducted its first combined tactical Exocet Missile firing exercise recently. The two frigates, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi, fired the two missiles at MFV Azalea, a derelict fishing trawler given to the SA Navy by I&J fishing company to sink. The firing was conducted on Thursday 28 June in Exercise Area Pandora, 50 nautical miles south of Cape Point.
The cover disengages from the missile launcher - Image: SA Navy (Naval Weapons Analysis Section (NWAS))
Notice the cover flying off to the left of the picture - Image: SA Navy (Naval Weapons Analysis Section (NWAS))
The two frigates were sailing approximately 7 nm abeam of each other, when they altered course to launch their missiles. The SAS Spioenkop, with SAS Mendi stationed to port, fired her missile to starboard whilst SAS Mendi fired her missile to port.
The Exocet MM40 Block 1 missile leaves its launcher - Image: SA Navy (Naval Weapons Analysis Section (NWAS))
The two Exocet MM40 block 1 missiles left their launchers to arrive at the target within seconds of each other. The target, some 25 nm (±47km) away, was broken in two and sunk within minutes.
Once clear of the launcher the rockets of the missile engage - Image: SA Navy (Naval Weapons Analysis Section (NWAS))
SAS Protea towed the target towards the missile firing range, while SAS Galeshewe, a Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 35 Squadron and an Oryx helicopter from 22 Squadron assisted with range clearance.
This exercise proved that the South African Navy is a maritime force to be reckoned with and that the systems and weapons onboard the new frigates are operational and ready.
Source: www.navy.mil.za
Submarine Officer Commanding Course (SMOC) and Combined Anti Submarine Warfare Exercises (CASEX)
One of the Frigates as seen through the periscope of the SAS Manthatisi - Image: SA Navy
SAS Protea was also in the sights of SAS Manthatisi - Image: SA Navy
26 June 2007 was the first time since 1982 that South African Navy frigates participated in SMOC and ASW exercises. This was also the first time that the new Valour Class Frigates participated in these exercises and was seen as a significant highlight in the progression to achieving their capabilities.
Once fired the torpedo rests on the surface for easy recovery - Image: SA Navy
The exercise ranged from basic familiarisation and tracking exercises to search and attack unit (SAU) exercises. The exercises finally culminated in the SMOC examination of Cdr Souma over the period 27 to 28 June.
SAS Umhloti looks on as the divers recovered the torpedo - Image: SA Navy
A submersible skid is placed under the torpedo to allow for it to be towed - Image: SA Navy
During these exercises Cdr Souma fired a practice torpedo at SAS Spioenkop. This Surface Underwater Target (SUT) torpedo firing was very successful and all objectives of the exercise were met. In the process Cdr Souma also passed his SMOC course.
Source: www.navy.mil.za
SAS Protea towing trawler becoming training target
SAS Protea has been seen towing Fishing Vessel Azalea, built 1971 with 770 DWT, to become a target for SAN target practice. Some more details can be found in the avcom thread Aircraft carrier in False bay.
SAS Protea towing Azalea to the shooting range - Image: Louis Vosloo
On June 28, two Exocet missiles were fired at it from two different ships in a salvo and both scored direct hits, totally destroying the target, which sank in less than 30 minutes.
