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Further Reading

Project Millenium LPHD

In 2007 South Africa considered buying at least one and possibly as many as three amphbious assault ships. One ship might be bought by the SA Navy with another possibly bought by the Southern African region. It could be funded mostly by the South African Government outside of the regular defence budget with other Southern African Development Community states chipping in. The vessels were to be used in peace support operations and no one can dispute the utility of such vessels in these roles.

The SAN wanted to buy at least two (maybe even three) LHDs in the 20,000 tons range. One of these was to be operated to some extent on behalf of other African countries, most notably those in SADC. Having considered LPDs, the SAN decided the extra capability provided by LHDs was worth the expense. The three designs under consideration were the Mistral-class, Navantia's BPE and ThyssenKrupp's MHD-150. They range in capability from being able to carry 11 helicopters and 750 troops to 16 helicopters and 1000 troops, along with 12 or so tanks and a few dozen armoured vehicles. TKMS would offer the MHD-150 (or MRD-15000), which is a full 15,000-ton small LHD (with 5 helo spots, hangar for 11 helos, 800 lane meters, LCU/LCAC docking well, accomodation for over 750 troops etc).

Plans called for embarked troops to be drawn from 44 Parachute Regiment, 6 SA Infantry Battalion (Air Assault) and 9 SA Infantry Battalion (which was to become an amphibious unit). The SAN was also interested in deploying its new Maritime Reaction Force (like a limited Marine unit, but not really Marines) off the ships. If a mechanised response were required, 61 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group or 1 SA Infantry Battalion could be embarked.

South Africa has a very small navy, with a very limited budget (about $180 million - 2007 exchange rates) and about only 5000 personel, so it seemed this purchase will be a very difficult excercise. As of 2007 there was talk of an in-service date of 2013, but that turned out to be overly ambitious.

In June 2007 FNS Tonnerre visited Cape Town, said to be in support of French Naval Industry Marketing for the SA Navy's requirement for two/three Landing Helicopter Deck's, Project MILLENIUM. By 2010 the navy was still pressing for its Project Millenium, two LHD-style 20,000-tonne strategic support ships, which would need medium/heavy (and almost inevitably pre-used) transport helicopters to make them really effective in amphibious operations.

One sceptic noted "My problem with the idea of commissioning a helicopter carrier is where is it going to operate?? The answer may be in hopspots around the world, but we are already having a problem with the SANDF maintaining peace keeping operations on the African continent. Until the SANDF becomes a World Class peace keeping force, we will be restricted to peace keeping efforts within the African Union. I can not see the SANDF moving into other areas becasue Africa has many countries which are ripe for insurrection, etc., now and in the future "Many of the trouble areas are mostly inland from coastal waters, or the country is so large, that it will require a couple of refuelling stops to get to the badlands. If we have a look at the present potential trouble spots in Africa, they are inland - CAR, Chad, Darfur region. All of these very far from the beach.

"So my arguement is; the SANDF is already running on a shoe string budget, and the use of a helicopter carrier will place an extra burden on the existing finances available. Will it not be more cost effective to physically fly the helicopters to the "hot spots" as they do now, instead of floating them across the ocean in a boat."