World Navies Today: South Africa

Revised 21 October 2001
Version 1.15
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/


This list includes all surface combatants, submarines, mine warfare
vessels and patrol craft over 100 tons displacement, and all amphibious
ships and auxiliaries over 500 tons displacement.  Non-self-propelled
craft and vessels without seagoing capability are not included. 

Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are
listed in [brackets].  Navigation and surface-search radars are not
listed.  All designations & classifications are unofficial; they may or
may not correspond to "official" designations.

All vessels homeported at Simonstown.


Submarines
Surface Combatants
Patrol Craft
Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Auxiliaries



Submarines
Type 209 coastal submarines
Displacement: 1,594 tons submerged
Dimensions: 62.2 x 7.6 x 5.5 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, diesel electric, 1 shaft, 5,000 bhp, 20 knots
Crew: 32
Sonar: 
Armament: 8 21 inch torpedo tubes, 14 torpedoes
	Three new German-built submarines have been ordered to replace
	the existing submarines.  To be delivered 2005-2007.

Maria Van Riebeeck (Daphne) class coastal submarines
Displacement: 1,043 tons submerged
Dimensions: 57.75 x 6.75 x 4.5 meters (189.5 x 22 x 14.5 feet)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,600 shp, 15.5 knots
Crew: 47
Sonar: DUUA-2 active, DUXX-2 passvie
Armament: 12 21 inch torpedo tubes (8 forward, 4 aft), 12 torpedoes
Depth: 300 meters
	Modernized in the 1980's, to be in service through 2005.	
	French built.   One additional unit is in reserve.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
S98	Umkhonto		1971	
S99	Assegaai		1971


Surface Combatants
MEKO A200SA type patrol frigates
Displacement: 3,590 tons full load
Dimensions: 121 x 16.3 meters
Propulsion: CODAG: 2 diesels, 2 shafts for cruise; 1 gas turbine, 1 shaft for boost; 26 knots
Crew: 100 + 20 transients
Aviation: helicopter deck and hangar for 2 Lynx
Armament: 32 cell VLS for SAMs, 8 MM40 Exocet SSM, 1 76mm OTO DP,
   2 20 mm CIWS, ASW torpedoes   
	Four new German-built frigates have been ordered to replace
	the existing patrol boats.   There will be the MEKO 200A type,
	an improved and modernized version of the common MEKO 200 type.
	To be delivered 2004-2005.


Patrol Craft
Jan Smuts (Minister/Warrior/Reshev) class large missile boats
Displacement: 450 tons full load
Dimensions: 58.1 x 7.6 x 2.6 meters (190.5 x 25 x 8.5 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 14,400 bhp, 32 knots
Crew: 47
Radar: THD-1040 air/surf search
Armament: 6 Skorpioen (Gabriel II) SSM, 2 76 mm OTO, 2 20 mm, 2
   12.7 mm MG
	Israeli-design missile boats.  First three built in Isreal,
	others in South Africa.   Several boats have been discarded or
	are in reserve.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
P1563	Adam Kok		1978	
P1565	Issac Dyobha		1979		
P1566	Rene Sethron		1980
P1567	Galeshewe		1983		
P1568	Job Masego		1983		
P1569	Makhanda		1986	


Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Walvisbaai (Ton) class coastal minesweepers
Displacement: 425 tons full load
Dimensions: 46.33 x 8.76 x 2.5 meters (152 x 29 x 8 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 3,000 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 27
Armament: 1 40 mm, 2 20 mm, 2 7.62 mm MG
	Old minesweepers recently modernized.  UK built.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
M1214	Walvisbaai		1958		
M1215	East London		1957
M1498	Windhoek		1957

Kimberley (Ton class) coastal minehunter
Displacement: 425 tons full load
Dimensions: 46.33 x 8.76 x 2.5 meters (152 x 29 x 8 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 3,000 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 36
Sonar: Type 193M minehunting
Armament: 1 40 mm, 2 7.62 mm MG
	Former sistership of the above class, converted to minehunter.
	UK-built.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
M1210	Kimberley		1959

Umzimkulu (River) class inshore minehunters
Displacement: 380 tons full load
Dimensions: 48 x 8.5 x 2.3 meters (157.5 x 28 x 7.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 15 knots
Crew: 37
Sonar: minehunting
Armament: 1 20 mm, 2 12.7 mm MG
	West German built, wooden inshore minehunters.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
M1142	Umzimkulu		1981
M1212	Umhloti			1981
M1213	Umgeni			1981
M1499	Umkomaas		1981


Auxiliaries
Outeniqua logistics ship
Displacement: 21,025 tons full load
Dimensions: 166.3 x 22.6 x 9 meters (545.5 x 74 x 29.5 feet)
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 17,512 bhp, 17 knots
Crew: 126
Aviation: helicopter deck and hangar for 1 Puma
Troops: up to 600
Armament: 2 20 mm
	Ukrainian-built icebreaking cargo vessel.  Used for
	Antarctic resupply and fleet replenishment/logistics.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
A302	Outeniqua		1992/93

Drakensberg multirole support ship
Displacement: 12,500 tons full load
Dimensions: 157 x 20 x 7.9 meters (515 x 65.5 x 26 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1 shaft, 16,320 bhp, 20 knots
Crew: 96
Aviation: aft helicopter deck with dual hangars, platform forward
Cargo: 5,500 tons fuel, 750 tons stores
Armament: 4 20 mm
	Built as a replenishment ship, but also used for SAR, patrol,
	logistics.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
A301	Drakensberg		1987

Protea survey ship
Displacement: 2,750 tons
Dimensions: 79.25 x 14.94 x 4.9 meters (260 x 49 x 16 feet)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, ??? shp, 15 knots
Crew: 129
Armament: 2 20 mm
	UK-built.  Major overhaul 1995-96; electronic intercept
	gear has been removed.

Number	Name			Year	Notes
A324	Protea			1972

ex-Lindau Class (Type 351) training ships
Displacement: 488 tons full load
Dimensions: 47.5 x 8.5 x 2.75 meters (156 x 28 x 9 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 3,300 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: 
Armament: 
	Six ex-German minesweepers have been acquired; four will be
	used as training ships and two will be parts sources.