28 July 2006
The second of South Africa's four new patrol corvettes, the SAS Isandlwana, was officially handed over to the South African Navy in Durban on Thursday, having successfully completed its sea trials and with its newly fitted combat suite fully operational.
The frigate, part of a multi-billion rand upgrade of South Africa's defence arsenal, was built in Germany and fitted with a combat suite in South Africa after delivery in 2004.
The SAS Isandlwana is expected to feature at the 2006 Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo in Cape Town from 20 to 24 September, before leaving to take part in an exercise with the navies of Argentina, Brazil and Uruquay in October and November.
Receiving the vessel on behalf of the SA Navy, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said the defence of the people of South Africa remained the rationale for recapitalising and rejuvenating the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
Defence experts argue that if South Africa is unable maintain a presence in its maritime area - which is far larger than its land area - this will be open to exploitation, whether by aggressors or by opportunists such as poachers or smugglers.
The commissioning of the SAS Isandlwana was about ensuring South Africa's state of readiness for "anything, any time", Lekota said.
Hi-tech warship
The corvette is one of the most sophisticated warships in the world, with unique stealth characteristics derived both from its innovative shape and from having its infra-red emission "signature" - normally a give-away for ships of this size - drastically reduced through an exhaust system which emits the engines' fumes at water level rather than through a funnel above deck.
The 3 000-ton warship boasts a perseverance of 28 days, a range of 6 200 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 20 knots and a maximum speed of 27 knots plus.
The corvette was fitted out with weapons and electronic systems - some 70% of which were designed by South African companies and research institutions - in Simonstown.
Lekota said the ship would be deployed on peace-keeping missions on the continent, should there be a need.
"Our participation in the Southern Africa Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations multilateral peace and security initiatives on and around the continent of Africa will be significantly improved by our rapidly advancing capability on high seas, inland rivers and lakes of several countries on the continent."
South Africa's first new corvette, the SAS Amatola, was delivered in 2003, and the installation of the ship's combat suite was completed in 2005.
The installation of combat suites on the two remaining corvettes, the SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi, are at an advanced stage.
The four frigates were named to commemorate the valour of South African soldiers in battle.
The Battle of Isandlwana, one of the greatest victories by the Zulu people over the British colonial forces, was fought between a Zulu army and a British force (supported by Natal Native Militia and police) on 22 January 1879.
SouthAfrica.info reporter and BuaNews
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