Arms-deal vessels can't cope in local conditions*1

The defective engines would have to be cut out of the frigates’ hulls

SOUTH Africa’s R12-billion German-built frigates are reported to have serious mechanical problems ­ but the government says it is none of your business *2.

The military this week refused to comment on reports of major engine problems and budget shortfalls affecting all four frigates. Fleet condition is “classified” information, the military said.

The German-built frigates, which cost an estimated R3-billion each in today’ s terms, were a major component of South Africa’s controversial arms deal. When the deal was first put together the state-of-the-art vessels ­ together with three German-built submarines ­ were expected to entrench South Africa’s position as a regional power.

However, the Sunday Times has established that the vessels ­ the SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop, SAS Amatola and the SAS Mendi ­ have major mechanical challenges, which are draining the navy’s scarce resources. Concerns voiced by sources within the maritime sector this week include that:

• The frigates’ German-made diesel engines are not coping with local sea conditions and may have to be replaced. Unconfirmed reports suggest that four replacement engines are on their way to SA;

• None of the frigates is currently fully operational;

• The SAS Mendi has been designated DED ­“Docking & rectification of Essential Defects” ­ and has serious engine issues; and

• The navy’s anti-piracy mission in Mozambique, Operation Copper, is way over budget due to the cost of keeping the frigates at sea.

Anonymous sources within the navy said there was major concern about how best to replace the defective engines, which would have to be cut out of the frigates’ hulls – either from the side or from underneath. There is also a serious corrosion problem caused by the engines’ jet-propulsion system.

In August the SAS Amatola aborted its three-month deployment to Mozambique just days into the trip, allegedly due to problems with its one remaining diesel engine. At the time the navy insisted the Amatola was returning to take part in a naval exercise. Amatola’s other diesel engine is already out of commission.

The SAS Drakensberg *3, a fleet replenishment ship, has been deployed to Mozambique to fulfil SA’s obligations in Operation Copper.

Last year the chief director for maritime strategy at the South African Navy, Rear Admiral Bernhard Teuteberg, told parliament that one of SAS Amatola’s engines would have to be replaced, at a cost of R16-million. At the time he said there was a problem with the “starboard propulsion unit”. He had previously told parliament there was a “design shortcoming” with the engines, which were not suited to local sea conditions. Teuteberg declined to comment this week *4.

Navy sources said the engine problems should have been foreseen and that the real problem was that the wrong engines had been fitted. The ships were built by German shipyard Blohm+Voss, and the engines were supplied by MTU Friedrichshafen, a leading diesel engine manufacturer.

Neither Blohm+Voss nor MTU would comment. MTU’s South African spokesman Alan Rees said: “The nature of the support by MTU South Africa for the SA Navy is a matter of national security. We are not in a position to comment on SA Navy matters.”

National defence spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said the defence portfolio committee had been appraised of all the necessary information related to the frigates.

David Maynier, a DA member of the portfolio committee, said he was not aware of any recent mechanical problems having been raised by the navy. Earlier this year the Sunday Times reported on problems with the submarine fleet. At one stage all three subs were in the dry dock after the SAS Queen Modjadji struck the ocean floor while conducting training exercises. The defence portfolio committee was not immediately aware of the incident.

With acknowledgement to Bobby Jordan and Sunday Times.