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Further Reading

A-200 Valour class Corvette

On 3 December 1999 a contract was signed with the European South African Corvette Consortium (ESACC) which includes Blohm + Voss, HDW, TRT, African Defence Systems and Thomson-CSF, for four patrol corvettes for the SA Navy. This contract became effective from 28 April 2000. Two were built by Blohm + Voss Hamburg, and two by HDW.Kiel. The first of the hulls was delivered in 2003 for weapon systems integration in South Africa by African Defence Systems and Thomson-CSF. The first of class completed in 2004 and the last by 2005.

A project to restore the SA Navy with a new surface combatant was launched in 1993. The aim is to acquire a patrol corvette capability for the SA National Defence Force. The aim is being achieved through the acquisition of fully equipped and operationally qualified patrol corvette vessels plus their organic helicopters for the SA Navy, and the successful integration of these vessels and helicopters into the SA Navy and SA Air Force user systems. The vessels are all expected to be fully operational by 2006. Four Westland SUPER LYNX maritime helicopters will be procured via a sub-project.

The vessels were acquired from a single main contractor, European South African Corvette Consortium (ESACC), responsible for delivering a total vessel. The ship platforms are built in Germany, accepted in German waters and then sailed to Simon's Town by the SA Navy. Combat suites will be integrated, installed and tested in South Africa, followed sea trials and acceptance of the ships.

The Patrol Corvettes feature a unique frigate propulsion design: CODAG, that is Combined Diesel And Gas Turbine (combining in the water), and WARP, that is Waterjet And Refined Propellors (32 megawatt installed power). A 20-megawatt gas turbine drives the centreline waterjet and two 6-megawatt diesels turn the two propellers. A cross-connectable gearbox system allows for several engine/driveshaft configurations.

The VALOUR Class ships have a stealth design, including very low radar, infra-red, acoustic and magnetic signatures, a horizontal exhaust, waterjet propulsion and an X-shaped hull design that reflects radar waves away from the source.

The four ships, SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi have all been delivered, although by 2006 only the first two had so far been handed over by the builders and commissioned into the navy.

According to a September 2006 report in Business Day, South Africa was ready to take up an option for a fifth Meko class A200 frigate from the German frigate consortium that built four other ships for the South African Navy. The report was something of a surprise as there had been no public indication that the navy was interested in the extra ship. According to Business Day the fifth ship would costa in the region of R2 Bn, considerably more than the R1.2 Billion paid for each of the first four frigates. The report stated that the chief of the navy, Rear Admiral Johannes Mudimu, had confirmed the intention of buying the extra ship. He said the original contract had been for five ships but only four were taken because of budget constraints.