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.
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Compiled and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
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