DURBAN - The SANDF has released the class and names of the three new SA Navy ships.
The SANDF said the construction of the three SA Navy Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV’s) was on track.
“The new MMIPVs are the first locally built vessels for the SA Navy since 1986 following SAS Drakensberg and three Warrior Class Strike craft that were built in Durban,” the SANDF said.
The construction of the vessels was a major rejuvenation of the SA local shipbuilding industry that has again put South Africa on the map in terms of shipbuilding capability.
The keel-laying ceremony of the last MMIPV, the SANDF said.
The SA Navy announced the names and class of the MMIPV’s as:
- P1571 SAS SEKHUKHUNE
- P1572 SAS ADAM KOK
- P1573 SAS SHAKA
The MMIPV was held at the Damen Shipyards Cape Town on October 22.
The event had marked the beginning of the construction of the last MMIPV to be delivered to the SA Navy under Project Biro.
“These ships are the Warrior Class in recognition of the warriors who led their people with great bravery to fight many battles in SA.
They follow the heritage path of their predecessors “The Warrior Class Strike Craft” in order to continue with the names of the celebrated SA Warriors,” the SANDF said.
The SAS Sekhukhune is expected to be delivered to the SA Navy in the first quarter of next year and the crew has commenced with the training and familiarisation of the ship.
After the ship is delivered, it will undergo sea acceptance trials that will be followed by the commissioning.
“The commissioning signifies the operational capability of the ship as it affirms its readiness to fulfil the mandate of the SA Navy thereby further enhancing the SA Navy’s patrol capability.”
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