Third Combined Military Exercise between SA and Germany: Exercise Good Hope III

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:50:00 +0000

From 18 February to 18 March the seas and skies surrounding Cape Town will be used to conduct military exercises between South Africa and Germany. This series of exercises will be called EXERCISE GOOD HOPE III.

This will be the third time that military exercises will be conducted in South African waters between the two countries, with the last exercise taking place two years ago. During this year's exercise there will be more than 1 800 personnel, 15 ships and 16 aircraft from both countries taking part.

The "theatre of operations" will be around Cape Town and some exercises will be conducted at the Overberg Military Test Area near Bredasdorp and Arniston/Waenhuiskrans. Some of the types of exercises will include live missile and gun firings, anti-submarine warfare with mock torpedo attacks, anti-aircraft drills, fleetwork and maneuvering and more.

The objectives that both countries want to achieve with these exercises are:

To enhance and maintain the comprehensive defence capabilities of the two armed forces.
To develop a common understanding of military interoperability and foster mutual trust, respect and co-operation between the German Armed Forces and the SANDF.
To upgrade operational means and methods of multi-national conventional forces by employing different types of equipment whilst conducting and exercising according to a common set of guiding principles.

The German Defence Force will be represented by two Frigates (FGS HAMBURG and FGS KÖLN) and two Combat Support Vessels (FGS BERLIN and FGS WESTERWALD), six Tornado Fighter Aircraft and two Lynx Helicopters. The SANDF will send three Frigates (SAS AMATOLA, SAS ISANDLWANA and SAS SPIOENKOP), one Submarine (SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE) two Strike Craft (SAS GALESHEWE and SAS ISAAC DYOBHA), two Minehunters (SAS UMZIMKULU and SAS UMKOMAAS), two Inshore Patrol Vessels (SAS TERN and SAS TOBIE) and the Combat Support Vessel SAS DRAKENSBERG. In addition to this there will also be six Cheetah Fighter Aircraft and two Oryx Helicopters.

The public of Cape Town will be invited to view the German vessels at the V&A Waterfront on Sat 01 Mar to Sun 02 Mar 08. Thereafter the public can view most of the SA Navy and German vessels during the annual Navy Festival from 14 -16 Mar 08 in Simon's Town.

Source: SA Navy

The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: Third Combined Military Exercise between SA and Germany: Exercise Good Hope III

Third Combined Military Exercise between SA and Germany: Exercise Good Hope III