Pretoria - The building of four patrol corvettes and three submarines for the SA Navy as part of the country's defence package was on track, project leaders said in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The first German-built corvette is to be delivered to the navy by mid-2004, and the last a year later, they told a press briefing.

The first submarine would be commissioned by July 2005, and the third two years later.

SA Navy chief, Vice-Admiral Johan Retief, said plans to prepare the navy for receiving and operating the new equipment were also according to schedule.

"We understand the projects we are involved in are extremely costly. It is important that we ensure they can be properly utilised by a navy that can operate and maintain them," he said.

The navy was also beefing up infrastructure such as dockyards and simulators in order to accommodate the new equipment to their full potential.

Corvette project director Jonny Kamerman said this was the largest and most complex project ever undertaken by the SA Navy.

Sustained operations

The corvettes are designed to counter aircraft, submarines and surface vessels, and to conduct sustained operations in sea conditions like those off the South African coast. They will also carry helicopters.

Kamerman said the country could not afford to fit the vessels with a full combat component, but they have been constructed so they could be upgraded when necessary. Seventy-five percent of the combat systems were supplied by local industry.

A total of 250 people are to be trained for the corvette and submarine projects over the next few years.

The submarines could be used to prevent enemy ships from disrupting South Africa's sea trading routes, sink enemy submarines, serve as a deterrent against would-be aggressors, and protect the country's natural fishing resources.

The acquisition of the new vessels forms part of the country's controversial multi-billion arms deal, which also involves the acquisition of 30 light utility helicopters, 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 28 Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft.

The corvettes' combat suites formed part of a controversy, with arms contractor Richard Young alleging a conflict of interests involving the government's acquisitions chief, Shamin "Chippy" Shaik.

Shaik's brother, Schabir, was a shareholder in the Thomson Group and African Defence Systems which were awarded the contract to provide combat technology for the four corvettes.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and News24.