Type 209 class
Submarine
Three Type 209 submarines are being acquired for the SA Navy from the German Submarine Consortium. Final approval for their purchase was given on 15 September 1999 and the contract was signed on 7 July 2000. The submarines are being built in Kiel, Germany, by the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), TNSW and Kockums with a first delivery date of September 2005, and then at 12 month intervals thereafter.
Submarines form a crucial part of any balanced navy. A modern conventional submarine can operate independently for weeks, and is virtually "invisible" to most surface ships and aircraft. When dived, it is largely unaffected by the threats that surface forces typically face.
A submarine's inherent stealth makes it an excellent vessel to counter other submarines and warships. It's mere presence in a hostile situation can be enough to keep a surface fleet alongside. Even powerful aircraft carrier groups have to operate with caution in submarine waters, or avoid them altogether. This stealth factor also makes them highly suited for obtaining information on illegal activities in one's own waters.
Because of the discreet nature of submarines, their immediate use in an operational area can be non-threatening. They can be sent to an area, and then withdrawn, without raising tensions in that area. In this regard, the waters along the South African coast are ideally suited for submarine operations. The different thermal layers found at varying depths, where the "barrier" formed between hot and cold water affects sonar beams, gives them a distinct tactical and operational advantage over surface vessels.
Submarines are therefore force multipliers for the Navy. Without them the Navy would have to have more surface ships to provide the same level of defence and deterrence. Their small crews and low fuel consumption also make them relatively cheap to operate, in comparison with surface combatant.
Concerning the defensive posture of the South African National Defence Force, submarines rate amongst the most significant in the country's inventory of defense systems. As has been discussed, the mere presence of a South African submarine is a reminder to potentially hostile naval force to keep clear of our territorial waters.
In summary, the relatively small number of submarines that the Navy operates helps keep the surface force modest in terms of numbers and sophistication, thus reducing the overall costs of South Africa's maritime defence. They give the Navy credibility in the international naval environment and force larger, more powerful navies to take cognizance of their presence. Used wisely, they are the country's ultimate strategic defence mechanism.
