7 November 2003

She sailed into False Bay on Wednesday morning with a bang, turned at a speed of 30 knots and splashed her new owners with seawater before docking at her new home.

This is how SAS Amatola, the first of four new corvettes, announced her arrival at the Simon's Town naval base after a six-week journey from Hamburg, Germany, under the captaincy of commander Guy Jameson.

Scores of naval and government officials, including naval chief Vice-Admiral Johan Retief and Bafokeng King Leruo Molotlegi, warmly welcomed the corvette into the navy by getting on board and taking to sea to experience the warship's abilities.

The state-of-the-art German-made warship is the first delivery in terms of a multi-billion rand arms procurement deal that will see the defence force overhauling its ageing arsenal with technologically advanced machinery and equipment.

The multi-purpose wartime vessel is one of four corvettes that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is expected to receive. Over the next few years, the SANDF will also take delivery of 30 utility helicopters, 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 28 Gripen advanced fighter aircraft.

The remaining corvettes are expected to arrive in the next two years and to be fully operational by 2006. Each corvette will have perseverance of 28 days, a range of 6 200 nautical miles, 20 knots cruising speed, and 27-plus knots maximum speed.

"As a naval officer with 28 years' experience, this is probably one of the most wonderful occasions I've been part of. There is a huge amount of excitement", said Captain Rusty Higgs. "We feel very proud to be South Africans."

The 3 000-ton warship will take at least two years to be made fully operational, and will serve as a multi-purpose warship with defensive, civilian maritime patrol and peace support capabilities.

Once fitted with all components, the modernised 16.3m warship will be able to carry a medium range gun and 16 surface-to-surface air missiles with the ability to be deployed in emergency situations, as well as for combat operations.

The ship will also boast a radio interceptive and tracker system, a radio and communications system, accommodation and hospital facilities, and dedicated classrooms. It will also be able to carry containers, guns, missiles, rocket decoys and helicopter pads.

In addition, it will have the capacity to evacuate up to 600 refugees at a time, and to serve as a command post and base for transport and combat support helicopters.

"The fact that SA has acquired these ships indicates the country's resolve to fund highly professional and technologically advanced defence operations, while at the same time promoting and protecting the interest of the region," said Higgs.

Vice Admiral Retief said the new arrival will significantly improve the navy's readiness to respond to any eventuality. "The maritime area of the country is larger than its land area. If we are unable to maintain a presence in this area, it is open to exploitation, whether by an aggressor or by opportunists such as poachers, thieves and smugglers of drugs and people."

Thirty-year-old Lieutenant Themba Mvelase from Soweto, who joined the navy in 1998 and is now one of many black crew members learning to operate the vessel, said the ship's arrival demonstrated the many opportunities in the navy for young black South Africans.

"This goes to show the black youth that there is a future for them in the navy."

Source: BuaNews

	South African Navy  Department of Defence