DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

Special ** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL*** 06-2005 By : Piet Sinke SAS SPIOENKOP

The Blohm + Voss the MEKO® A- 200 design was selected on November 12th 1998 by the .

The European South African Consortium (ESACC), consisting of the German Consortium (Blohm+Voss, Thyssen Rheinstahl and Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werf), African Defence Systems (part of the French Thales defence group) and a number of South African companies were to built the 4 new of the VALOUR class for the South African Navy, the frigates were ordered December 3rd 1999.

Work began on the first unit SAS Amatola (F145) February 28th 2001 and on the third, SAS Spioenkop (F147) August 28th 2001. The program was known as Project Sitron. The ships were to be outfitted and weapons integration performed after delivery in

In June of 2002, the names for the 4 Valour class frigates under construction for the South African Navy were released. The first being SAS Amatola (F145), The 3 sisters are named SAS (F146), SAS Spioenkop (F147), and SAS Mendi (F148).

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 1 11/16/2005 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

The 121 mtr long hull is shaped to reduce radar signature. Have fin stabilizers. The frigate is designed around a single GE LM2500 gas turbine, with a maximum output of 20 000 kW, plus two MTU 16V 1163 TB93 diesels, each of 5 920 kW. The propulsion system is described as CODAG-WARP (Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine—Waterjet and Refined Propellers), with the cross-connected diesels driving the two CP props and the gas turbine the waterjet. One diesel can drive both propeller shafts for economic cruising at up to 20 kts.

The gas turbine and diesels exhaust out the stern of the ship, providing some residual thrust and signature-reduction benefits. When running on the gas turbine and both diesel engines the frigate is able to reach a speed of 30+ knots. Twin rudders are fitted.

The helicopter hangar will accommodate one Oryx or two smaller Super LYNX 300 helicopters.

The second of the four , SAS Isandlwana left Kiel in Germany on 31 January 2004. She stopped over in Brest, France, to pick up equipment before sailing to Algericas, Spain where she refuelled. She finally arrived in late February of 2004. After arriving in Table Bay, she was scheduled to perform some manoeuvres in Table Bay before heading for False Bay and a rendezvous with other navy vessels at Simon's Town where work would begin on fitting the weapon systems and combat suites.

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 2 11/16/2005 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

On Saturday, February 7, 2004, the third corvette for the South African Navy, the SAS SPIOENKOP, returned to the building yard Blohm + Voss GmbH from her successful sea trials. After having adjusted the compass system on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, the SAS SPIOENKOP headed for Cuxhaven and from there to international waters. Off Skagen, Denmark, performance tests were carried out. At winds of up to force 9 the corvette was able to prove her excellent operational suitability. On March 15, 2004, the corvette was handed over to the South African Navy. The corvette sailed to Simons Town (near Cape Town) by a crew of the South African Navy were she arrived on May 31st 2004 where she was welcomed by her first sister SAS Amatola and a host of other ships. It is currently nearing the final stages of weapons and systems installation and integration.

In Simons Town the SAS SPIOENKOP is at the moment fitting out with weapons and the related electronic equipment. The frigate will have a Thales Tavitac combat data system. The 76-mm gun is a recycled gun from an older SAN ship. Eight MBDA MM 40 Block 2 surface-to-surface missiles (mounted in two four-cell launchers), are installed (photo right) ,

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 3 11/16/2005 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

The Umkhonto missiles will be carried in four quadruple vertical-launch modules. The decoy launchers carry 24 102-mm Wallop SuperPallisade and SuperStockade decoy rockets, with two tubes for larger decoys. No EW jamming system will be carried.

An twin 35-mm LIW GA35 gun is installed at the helicopter hangar as the CIWS.

The locally developed Grinaker Seacon-1 external and Thales FOKON internal communications suites will be installed in Simons Town. The Kentron Mokapa antiship missile for the helicopters has a range of 12 n.m.

As with all the other ships of the Valour class, the Spioenkop is named after a famous South African battle or instance of great valour. In this case the famous Battle of Spioenkop between the Boers and Great Britain, during the Anglo-Boer War.

Top : The engine control room

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 4 11/16/2005 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

Top : The navigation bridge

These 4 new vessels are to form the backbone of the new upgraded South African Navy which has benefitted considerably from the huge defence budget allocated for new weaponry designed to bring the SANDF into a new world of high tech weaponry.

In the galley the food is prepared for the 120 crewmembers of the Spioenkop

The Amatola, in keeping with a naming convention depicting acts of valour, was named after the Amatola Mountains where British forces fought the Xhosas in late 1852. Mrs Zanele Mbeki, named the vessel at the Blohm & Voss Thyssen Rheinstahl, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Thales shipyards in Germany just after noon on 07 June 2002. The ship only took to the water the next day.

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 5 11/16/2005 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS SPECIAL REPORT

Top : The first of the Valour class SAS AMATOLA ( F 145 ) seen here fitted out in Simonstown

The last vessel of the Valour class is the SAS MENDI (F 148) seen here arriving in South Africa without any armament and radars Photo : Danny Spaans ©

The compiler of the news clippings disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided through this service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. If you want to no longer receive this bulletin kindly reply with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

PSi-Daily maritime press clippings Page 6 11/16/2005