SA's first hightech corvette, the SAS Amatola, sailed into Simon's Town yesterday with an even bigger shadow than the arms procurement deal looming over it militarily speaking of course.

Also expected to arrive at the South African naval dockyard within the next 48 hours is an experimental vessel, the High Speed Vessel Swift, which is being tested by the US navy.

The Swift is a high-tech delivery system, capable of going where bigger ships cannot. It is able to deliver weapons such as tanks as well as soldiers and small boats close inshore, or even along inland water systems.

The Swift, as is the case with the Amatola, also has a helicopter carrying capability.

Dan Claffey, US assistant public affairs officer at the US consulate said it was "serendipitous" that the two vessels would be in Simon's Town harbour at the same time.

The Amatola has been described as hyper-modern because of the "stealth" technology used to lower its radar profile. This is achieved by reflecting the radio beams aimed at it, which makes it less susceptible to tracking and possible missile attacks.

The Amatola is capable of reaching speeds of about 20 knots on its two diesel-powered engines. However, by using a third gas turbine engine it can achieve speeds of more than 30 knots.

In contrast the Swift, a catamaran hulled craft built from commercial design in Australia, reached an average speed of 39 knots recently during a nearly 500 nautical mile trip across the northern Great Barrier Reef in Australian waters.

Although the deployment of the two vessels differs considerably the corvette will be used in various roles ranging from fisheries law enforcement to disaster relief and peace operations support, and considerably improve SA's blue water naval capabilities both are seen as major technological advancements in naval capabilities.

Hendrik Schmidt, Democratic Alliance spokesman on the arms deal, said it was unfortunate that the SAS Amatola entered South African waters under such a cloud of controversy.

"It is one portion of the strategic procurement package that still makes sense given SA's evolving military requirements.

"However, alleged corruption in the awarding of certain subcontracts for fitting out the corvettes, as well as further allegations of bribery and corruption involving protection of the contractors by Deputy President Jacob Zuma, have soured whatever public support might have remained for this acquisition," said Schmidt.

With acknowledgements to Chris van Gas and Business Day.