Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2008-05-23 Reporter: Graeme Hosken

Arrival of Sub Completes Navy's Order from German Shipyards

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date

2008-05-23
Reporter Graeme Hosken

Web Link

www.thetimes.co.za

 

All has been plain sailing for South Africa's third submarine, the SAS Queen Modjadji, which arrived at the naval base in Simon's Town yesterday.

The submarine is the last of the naval vessels, bought in a multibillion-rand deal, to be delivered to South Africa.

It sailed in under escort of the SA Navy supply ship, the SAS Drakensberg.

The SAS Queen Modjadji was welcomed by her sister submarine, the SAS Charlotte Mxeke, two of the country's frigates, and warships from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

The South American and South African warships were involved in an intensive submarine war exercise with the Queen Modjadji on Wednesday night.

The Queen Modjadji had been at sea for 31 days after leaving the Rota Naval Base in Spain, where the submarine stopped over on its voyage from the Kiel, Germany, shipyard in which it was built.

At welcoming celebrations, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said the vessel was critical *1 for the rejuvenation of the SA National Defence Force.

He said the three subs and the four newly acquired frigates would constitute a formidable maritime force capable of defending the country and its people.

The primary role of this force was to defend South Africa's interests and territorial integrity, but it also brought to the continent a significant strategic deterrent capability.

"(The vessels) will help ensure peace and stability in the region, which is essential for democracy, growth and development to continue in Africa," he said.

"This force affirms our intentions to continue to play a role in the prevention of conflict and promotion of peace in Africa. Maritime security is one way in which South Africa can make a vital contribution to the continent."

The Queen Modjadji's commanding officer, Andrew Souma, said the submarine could play a vital role in intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance *2.

Submarines were used as force multipliers and as deterrents to ensure maritime threats were kept to a minimum.

Of the voyage, Souma said: "(It) was excellent, with brilliant performances from the crew and boat. I would entrust my life to any of crew because they are the best of the best."

The crew said the voyage had been one of the best yet.

Most of the crew of submariners served on the navy's former Daphne class submarines and were involved in bringing the first two submarines from Germany.

The sub has a crew of 41 and was officially launched in 2006. Its cost of nearly R2 billion *3 included the training of the crew, who spent two months in Germany.

The SAS Charlotte Mxeke left for Marion Island to perform operations in South Africa's territorial waters.

With acknowledgements to Graeme Hosken and Cape Times.


*1       Acquisition of new submarines are certainly not critical for the rejuvenation of the SA National Defence Force.

Submarines are a strategic rather than a tactical military asset and weapon.

Submarines are normally used in offensive scenarios.

At present and for the forseeable future, South Africa only requires defensive military capability.

Even many senior planners in the SA Navy and SANDF were surprised to be given three brand new submarines.


*2       Intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance can be vital, but are seldom tasks allocated to submarines.

The primary mission of a coastal submarine is "Sink Merchantman". This is a hostile act normally reserved for full military combat.

However, if Thabo Mbeki was not such a wet, he could have issued the An Yue Jiang, two wire-guided torpedoes rather than a few thousand litres of diesel.

Although the cost of the two wire-guided torpedoes would be far greater than three million rounds of assault rifle ammunition, 3 000 mortar rounds and 1 500 rocket-propelled grenades.


*3      That's R6 billion for three.

Better get off to Marion and Prince Edward Islands to do some intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance on those pesky third-force xenophobes Korean Patagonian Toothfish fishers.