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Sealift Ship Could Fill a Crucial Gap in Navy |
| Publication |
Cape Times |
| Date | 2008-09-05 |
| Reporter | Chiara Carter |
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Web Link |
South Africa is poised to buy a multibillion-rand sealift vessel - in the
place of a fifth corvette.
The sealift ship would be used to convey supplies and equipment for far-away
peace-keeping missions - a capability that several naval experts have recently
argued the country needs.
The possibility that the navy might get the sealift ship was revealed on
Thursday by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota at a media briefing about the
ceremonial Presidential Fleet Review that is taking place on Friday in Simon's
Town.
Lekota said no final decision had been reached and that the sealift vessel would
not represent a new buying spree by the navy.
Instead, it would be obtained in the place of the fifth
corvette that the country was entitled to buy in terms of the arms deal. *1
It would be purchased in terms of the frigate contract, rather than the country
starting a new process.*2
Lekota said it had become clear that SA would be involved in peacekeeping
missions for a long time to come.
The country did not just need fighting ships such as the corvettes. A sealift
vessel would be of great help for missions in distant countries.
He pointed out that such a ship would be able to stay at sea for extended
periods, providing a convenient back-up store for the country's forces.
Such a vessel would go a long way towards easing the task of sustaining supplies
for forces deployed far from home, Lekota said.
He said it would be some time before SA would have the need for new ships and
that the vessels already obtained in terms of the arms deal had escalated the
country to a "completely new era" and were a giant leap forward.
Most would be on display today at the fleet review. which aims to introduce the
new navy fleet to the country's commander in chief, President Thabo Mbeki, as
well as to the public.
Lekota said personnel had worked extremely hard to get the new vessels
operational and ensure they were crewed competently.
He said the navy had, over the past few years, transformed from the relatively
ageing and obsolete hardware and systems to a navy with a fleet of some of the
most technologically advanced ships and submarines in the southern hemisphere.
Mbeki was due to be flown to Simon's Town this morning where - after a 21-gun
salute - he was expected to sail on the navy's survey vessel SAS Protea into
False Bay and past the naval vessels in formation, receiving ceremonial marks of
respect from each ship.
With acknowledgements to Chiara Carter and Cape Times.