Cape Town - A court application to prevent the first of the new corvettes from entering South African waters in three weeks' time will be handed in to the Cape High Court on Thursday.

The pressure group, Economists Allied for Arms Reduction (Ecaar), will apply for an urgent interdict to prevent SAS Amatola from entering South African waters and harbours.

That is, at least till Ecaar receives a ruling to have the country's controversial multi-billion arms deal cancelled, chairperson Terry Crawford-Browne said.

The SAS Amatola, the first of four new warships for the Navy, is expected in False Bay on November 4.

"The arrival of the ship prejudices our case to have the arms deal declared unconstitutional," Crawford-Brown said.

He accused government of attempts to delay the court case and said it was a tactic "to tap Ecaar financially and psychologically".

The case has been dragging on since 2001.

With acknowledgements to Anesca Smith and Die Burger.