The ''Valour'' class is a
class
Class or The Class may refer to:
Common uses not otherwise categorized
* Class (biology), a taxonomic rank
* Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects
* Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used differentl ...
of
frigate
A frigate () is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied somewhat.
The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and ...
s built for the
South African Navy
The South African Navy (SA Navy) is the naval warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force.
The Navy is primarily engaged in maintaining a conventional military deterrent, participating in counter-piracy operations, fishery prot ...
. Part of the
MEKO
The MEKO family of warships was developed by the German company Blohm+Voss. MEKO is a registered trademark. The portmanteau stands for "''Mehrzweck-Kombination''" (English: multi-purpose-combination). It is a concept in modern naval shipbuilding b ...
family of warships, the German shipbuilder
Blohm+Voss Blohm is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Hans Blohm C.M. (born 1927), photographer and author
*Hermann Blohm (1848–1930), German businessman and co-founder of German company Blohm+Voss
*Linn Blohm (born 1992), Swedish handbal ...
officially designate the class as the MEKO A-200SAN.
Designed as a multiple purpose, multi capable frigate, the Valour class encompasses the general
guided-missile
In military terminology, a missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles are thus also called guided missiles or guided rockets (when a previously unguided rocket i ...
anti-surface and
anti-air
Anti-aircraft warfare, counter-air or air defence forces is the battlespace response to aerial warfare, defined by NATO as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It includes surface based, ...
role, forming the core of the South African surface fleet.
Four Valour class frigates were constructed for the South African Navy as part of the
Strategic Defence Package 1999. The first,
SAS ''Amatola'', was
commissioned in 2006, with the fourth and final,
SAS ''Mendi'', commissioned in March 2007. The frigates have a service life of 30–40 years.
The Valour class are named after incidents of conspicuous bravery throughout South African military history.
Development
The concept for the Valour class (Project Sitron) was first conceived in the late 1990s as part of the
Strategic Defence Package, in which the new South African ANC government was keen to modernise the armed forces after decades of apartheid-era
United Nations sanctions. Since the 1970s, previous attempts to replace the aging
Type-12 (President class) frigates, as well as the
'W' (Jan van Riebeeck) class destroyers, had repeatedly been aborted due to sanctions, strategic considerations and financial cost.
The
Portuguese Carnation Revolution of 1974 axed efforts to acquire four
João Coutinho-class corvettes (Project Taurus), and the delivery of three
Type-69A light corvettes and two submarines from France was cancelled at the last minute after the imposition of mandatory UN sanctions in 1977. Following from the successful experience of constructing
SAS ''Drakensberg'' in 1987, it was briefly considered that a class of frigates could be locally constructed at the same shipyard. However, an increasingly deteriorating security and financial situation by the late 1980s within South Africa put an end to the project. As the final Type-12 frigate was retired without replacement in 1985, the intensifying
Border War forced the navy to shift operational focus away from the regional capabilities of large surface units to a purely localised coastal force, with a new core of
offshore patrol vessels
Offshore may refer to:
Science and technology
* Offshore (hydrocarbons)
* Offshore construction, construction out at sea
* Offshore drilling, discovery and development of oil and gas resources which lie underwater through drilling a well
* O ...
and
mine hunters. As white minority rule came to a negotiated end by 1994, the Navy had lost all its major surface warships and suffered from a critical lack of
anti-submarine
An anti-submarine weapon (ASW) is any one of a number of devices that are intended to act against a submarine and its crew, to destroy (sink) the vessel or reduce its capability as a weapon of war. In its simplest sense, an anti-submarine weapo ...
and
anti-air
Anti-aircraft warfare, counter-air or air defence forces is the battlespace response to aerial warfare, defined by NATO as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It includes surface based, ...
capability, operating nine increasingly obsolete strike craft OPVs and three aged diesel electric submarines.
The Spanish frigate design, the ''
Álvaro de Bazán Álvaro (, , ) is a Spanish, Galician and Portuguese male given name and surname (see Spanish naming customs) of Visigothic origin. Some claim it may be related to the Old Norse name Alfarr, formed of the elements ''alf'' "elf" and ''arr'' "warrio ...
'' class topped an acquisition effort in 1995 under Project Falcon, however this was later cancelled in favour of the wider Strategic Defence Package.
In 1999, an initial tender of five general purpose warships that could negotiate the tough sea conditions off the South African coast was met with four designs being proposed by the United Kingdom (
GEC F3000), Germany (
MEKO A200), France () and Spain (
Bazan 59B
Navantia is a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company, which offers its services to both military and civil sectors. It is the fifth-largest shipbuilder in Europe and the ninth-largest in the world with shipyards around the globe. The heir to ...
). The ANC Government was keen that the newly democratic South Africa would play a leading role in African peacekeeping missions, and as such required a naval force that had regional capability. The winning design had to be able to conduct sustained operations at sea - potentially far from a home port, provide gunfire and transport support to land forces, have helicopter capacity, and undertake a range of general offensive and defensive missions, as well as regular maritime patrols on behalf of law enforcement.
On 3 December 1999, a contract was signed with the European South African Corvette Consortium (ESACC) to provide four warships based on the German MEKO 200 design bid. ESACC consisted of
Blohm+Voss Blohm is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Hans Blohm C.M. (born 1927), photographer and author
*Hermann Blohm (1848–1930), German businessman and co-founder of German company Blohm+Voss
*Linn Blohm (born 1992), Swedish handbal ...
,
Thyssen Rheinstahl and
Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werf,
African Defence Systems
African or Africans may refer to:
* Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa:
** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa
*** Ethn ...
(part of the
French Thales defence group) and a number of South African companies. Originally termed corvettes for political reasons by the South African Navy, the Valour class design, officially the MEKO A200SAN, represented a quantum leap in multi-purpose capability, with a final procurement cost of R9.65 billion in 2007.
Construction
Construction began on the Valour class when the first steel was cut on 6 August 2001 for at the
Blohm+Voss Blohm is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Hans Blohm C.M. (born 1927), photographer and author
*Hermann Blohm (1848–1930), German businessman and co-founder of German company Blohm+Voss
*Linn Blohm (born 1992), Swedish handbal ...
shipyards in
Hamburg
(male), (female) en, Hamburger(s),
Hamburgian(s)
, timezone1 = Central (CET)
, utc_offset1 = +1
, timezone1_DST = Central (CEST)
, utc_offset1_DST = +2
, postal ...
, Germany. was also assembled here. and were constructed separately at the Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werf shipyards in
Kiel
Kiel () is the capital and most populous city in the northern Germany, German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 246,243 (2021).
Kiel lies approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the southeast of the J ...
. All four frigates were first laid down between August 2001 and June 2002, launched by October 2003 and later delivered to South Africa by the end of 2004. The delivery programme was delayed by up to nine months after the discovery of defects in installed electrical cabling in the
lead ship
The lead ship, name ship, or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable to naval ships and large civilian vessels.
Large ships are very complex and may ...
SAS ''Amatola''. Further delays were not incurred to the programme as the electrical cabling at fault had not yet been fitted to the subsequent frigates. The majority of the combat suite, weapons and sensors were designed and built by South African companies, with the integration process taking between 2–3 years per ship in South Africa. Final commissioning into service was achieved by 2007 for all four vessels.
Characteristics and design
The A200SAN design is an evolution of the
MEKO 200 series of frigates that have been built for the Turkish, Australian and New Zealand navies since the late 1980s. Experience has been gained by Blohm+Voss when optimising weight distribution, trim, low noise and manoeuvrability. Focusing on providing a frigate for navies with a restricted budget, the design ensures a low crew complement, comfortable accommodation, and plenty of space for future technological upgrades on a modular construction.
The A200SAN design offers very solid sea-keeping due to high forward buoyancy and stability reserves to accommodate future upgrades, making the class perfect when engaging in sustained operations in the rough sea conditions found off the South African coast. The Valour class has a strong focus on conflict survivability and was built around the latest principles of stealth design in naval construction. The design has the extensive use of the ‘X-form’ structure in which right angles and vertical surfaces are avoided, whilst techniques to reduce an infrared signature allow for pre-cooled exhaust gasses to be expelled just above the waterline. A degree of proactive protection has also been incorporated into the design, along with an optimised layout and damage control features with light ceramic and Kevlar armour shielding critical compartments and the dividing up of the hull into zones with independent fire fighting, electrical and HVAC systems. More than 10 watertight compartments, as well as double bulkheads and box girders running lengthwise, form the steel hull which has been proven to prevent break-up. Blohm+Voss claim that the Valour class has a
radar signature
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (''ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weat ...
50% smaller than a comparable vessel of their size, 75% less
infrared
Infrared (IR), sometimes called infrared light, is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than those of visible light. It is therefore invisible to the human eye. IR is generally understood to encompass wavelengths from around ...
emissions than previous designs, as well as 20% lower life-cycle cost, 25% lower displacement and 30% fewer crew required.
The Valour class has been designed with growth in mind, based around future technology and flexible mission requirements. The design allows for a flexible mission bay with space for two ISO containers, a recessed boat bay on either side of the ship, and wide passageways to aid maintenance, upgrades and store replenishment. Even after the fitting out of weapons systems and sensors, the A200SAN allows for a 200-tonne margin of future growth, 20% spare electrical generation, and 37% spare cooling capacity.
The propulsion system of the class is unique amongst other warships. Using a
CODAG-WARP arrangement (Combined Diesel and Gas turbine - Waterjet and Refined Propellers), the design utilises two controllable pitch propellers and single water jet. In diesel-only mode the arrangement is very fuel-efficient as a single engine can drive both shafts for speeds of up to . An independent centre-line gas turbine drives the water jet, coupled by a small reduction gear, eliminating the need for another combining gearbox. The water jet can be used alone, or combined with the diesel engines to achieve the maximum speed of nearly . A reverse-thrust bucket is also fitted that can be raised to redirect the water jet forward, giving the class the shortest stopping distance of any other similar warship.
* I – Economical mode: One diesel engine driving both shafts, maximum propeller speed: 150 rpm and up to 18 knots.
* II – Maneuvering mode: Both diesel engines driving both shafts, maximum propeller speed: 200 rpm.
* III –
CODAG-WARP: Both diesel engines and the gas turbines engaged, maximum propeller speed: 215 rpm and a maximum speed of over .
* IV – Gas turbine only: Gas turbines powering water jet only.
These frigates are expected to spend about 80% of their at-sea time in modes I and II, allowing for a maximum range of at . The A200SAN is also conspicuous for the lack of any funnel or uptakes in the centre of the ship, resulting in more space for above deck weapons and accommodation. The ships are exceptionally quiet and vibration-free as a result, and add further to their already high level of stealth characteristics.
The ship's steering gear consists of a steering unit and twin semi-balanced underhung rudders. There is an emergency steering station in the superstructure in the event of damage to the bridge and they can also be operated by hand from the steering gear compartment. To improve the ship's performance in a seaway, they are fitted with a B+V Simplex Compact stabiliser system.
This class of warship has seven independent Noske Kaeser air-conditioning plants allowing the ship to operate at a pre-set temperature and moisture level in ocean water ranging between , and the air temperature between . This also keeps the air pressure in the citadel five millibars higher than on the outside to prevent the drawing in of RBC (radioactive, biological, or chemical) contamination. These ships are also fitted with Sulzer und Weise seawater fire-fighting pumps and sprinkler systems. These are also ready to wet down the warship's ammunition magazines. In addition, a fire-extinguishing system protects the gas turbine and diesel engineering areas. The galleys are fitted with an ANSUL system and the flight deck and hangar with a Noske Kaeser Hy FEx foam fire extinguishing system. Two Pall Rochem reverse-osmosis plants generate of fresh water each every 24 hours. This water is provided to the
galleys
A galley is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by oars. The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and gunwale). Virtually all types of galleys had sails that could be used ...
, messes, and drinking water supplies, and it is also used for cooling the guns, the air-conditioners, and the engine room, in addition for washing the helicopters. Water pumped to the guns, sensors, and air-conditioners is chilled by two Noske Kaeser refrigerators. An oil-fired hot-water boiler, made by the same company, provides the ship's heating, whereas the hot water for the galley and messes comes from a , 45-kilowatt electric geyser. With a main crew of 92, plus eight aircrew, stores can last for up to 28 days when on station.
Weapons, countermeasures, capabilities and sensors
The four Valour-class frigates are armed with surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, a range of multi-purpose weaponry, and can operate helicopters that significantly improve and extend operational ability. The class have been hailed as the most powerful surface units in sub-Saharan Africa, and have restored South African naval pre-eminence.
The majority of the combat suite has largely been designed and built by South African companies. The "SA Corvette Group" includes
Altech Defence Systems,
Kentron
Denel Dynamics, formerly Kentron, is a division of Denel SOC Ltd, a South African armaments development and manufacturing company wholly owned by the South African Government. It underwent a name change from Kentron to Denel Aerospace Systems dur ...
, LIW Division of Denel,
Futuristic Business Solutions,
Saab Avitronics,
Grintek Electronics,
Reutech and
African Defence Systems
African or Africans may refer to:
* Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa:
** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa
*** Ethn ...
(a joint venture between Altech and
Thales
Thales of Miletus ( ; grc-gre, Θαλῆς; ) was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, statesman, and pre-Socratic philosopher from Miletus in Ionia, Asia Minor. He was one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Many, most notably Aristotle, regarded him ...
)
Naval guns
The ships are equipped with one
OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact Naval Gun. Depending on type of ammunition in use, a range of between with a rate of fire of 85 rounds per minute. For air targets, effective range is reduced to .
They also mount one
Denel 35mm Dual Purpose Gun
The Denel 35mm Dual Purpose Gun (35DPG) is a close-in weapon system (CIWS) for warships built in South Africa by Denel Land Systems. It is currently in service on the Valour-class frigates of the South African Navy.
Role
Its primary role is to ...
(
CIWS
A close-in weapon system (CIWS ) is a point-defense weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range incoming missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses, typically mounted on a naval ship. Nearly all classes of la ...
). The weapon's primary role of providing vessel point defence against aerial hostiles and missiles, with a secondary purpose of engaging surface and shore targets. With a range of ammunition, effective firing range for air targets is 4 km, with maximum firing range for surface vessels at . High speed missiles can be intercepted at a range.
Two
Mk1 Oerlikon 20 mm cannon are also fitted. They have a maximum engagement range of 6 km, with an effective range of . A sustained rate of fire of 900–1,000 rounds per minute.
Two
12.7 mm Reutech Rogue machine guns are mounted with rate of fire over 1,000 rounds per minute, with an effective range of and a maximum firing distance of .
Anti-air warfare
The ships have a 16-cell
vertical launching system
A vertical launching system (VLS) is an advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and submarines. Each vertical launch system consists of a number of ''cells'', which can hold one or mor ...
. Up to 16
Denel Dynamics
Denel Dynamics, formerly Kentron, is a division of Denel SOC Ltd, a South African armaments development and manufacturing company wholly owned by the South African Government. It underwent a name change from Kentron to Denel Aerospace Systems dur ...
Umkhonto-IR Block 2 surface-to-air
A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft syst ...
missiles, with a range of up to . An all-weather-capable missile, the Umkhonto can engage up to four targets simultaneously, reach distances of up to 8 km in 18 seconds and has countermeasure resistance.
Anti-surface warfare
The vessels are fitted with two 4-cell launchers for up to eight
MBDA
MBDA is a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles.[MBDA Inc. US Division Cor ...](_blank)
MM40 Block 2 Exocet surface-to-surface
A surface-to-surface missile (SSM) or ground-to-ground missile (GGM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea and strike targets on land or at sea. They may be fired from hand-held or vehicle mounted devices, from fixed ins ...
missiles, with a range of . Maximum speed of , with sea-skimming capabilities, preprogramed manoeuvres, active radar seeker and a high explosive fragmentation warhead.
Anti-submarine warfare
The ships are fitted for but not with two
torpedo tube
A torpedo tube is a cylindrical device for launching torpedoes.
There are two main types of torpedo tube: underwater tubes fitted to submarines and some surface ships, and deck-mounted units (also referred to as torpedo launchers) installed aboa ...
s.
Countermeasures
The ships are equipped with Saab Grintek Avitronics SME 100/200 ESM (Intercept and Jammer) &
ELINT
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is intelligence-gathering by interception of ''signals'', whether communications between people (communications intelligence—abbreviated to COMINT) or from electronic signals not directly used in communication ( ...
and two Saab Grintek Avitronics MRL Super Barricade
chaff launchers (96 decoys) for countermeasures.
Electronic systems and sensors
40% of each vessel's costs are related to the combat-management system installed on the Valour class, with 75% of the combat suite being developed in South Africa.
The frigates mount a Thales Naval France MRR-3D NG G-band multi-role surveillance radar which is a lightweight phased array antenna that operates as both a surveillance radar and a self-defence system sensor with automatic mode switching. The MRR-3D NG in surface mode can detect low and medium-level targets at ranges of up to , and in long-range 3D air surveillance setting up to 140 km. For self-defence, any threat within a radius of 60 km can be detected and tracked.
Two Reutech RTS 6400 monopoles X band (I/J bands) combined radar and optronic trackers are also equipped that are a high performance, domestically designed and manufactured radar tracker with a 60 km operational range. They also mount a Teutech Electro-optical Tracker, a Tellumat Integrated Naval Identification Friend or Foe System, M-Tek Target Designation Sights, a Thales UMS4132 Kingklip Sonar, and an MDS 3060 Obstacle Avoidance Sonar.
Also included is a computer-based "Naval Logistic Management System" that controls the on-board maintenance planning and execution by automatically generating weekly check-lists and repair schedules.
Replenishment at sea
Replenishment at sea (RAS) (North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Commonwealth of Nations) or underway replenishment (UNREP) (U.S. Navy) is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. First develope ...
can take place over the bow, over the stern, or amidships. Liquid and dry goods as well as passengers weighing up to can be transferred this way. Vertical replenishment via helicopters can take place over the helideck and/or the foredeck.
Aviation
The
hangar
A hangar is a building or structure designed to hold aircraft or spacecraft. Hangars are built of metal, wood, or concrete. The word ''hangar'' comes from Middle French ''hanghart'' ("enclosure near a house"), of Germanic origin, from Frankish ...
and flight deck design enables a wide range of helicopter options to fit requirements such as:
Two
Westland Super Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose twin-engined military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to ...
or
One
Westland Super Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose twin-engined military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to ...
and two
UAVs
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controlle ...
or
One
Atlas Oryx
The Atlas Oryx (named after the Oryx antelope) is a medium-sized utility helicopter ostensibly developed and manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation (now Denel Aeronautics) of South Africa. Its largest operator is the South African Air F ...
or
One
Denel Rooivalk
The Denel Rooivalk (previously designated AH-2 and CSH-2) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. ''Rooivalk'' is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel. Development of the type began in 19 ...
Upgrades and future technologies
In 2016 it was announced that the Valour class would benefit from a mid-life upgrade over the next decade that would extend service life beyond 2035, with improvement to both capability and capacity. However, as of 2021 the mid-life programme is still reportedly in the concept and feasibility study phase, with further progress on hold due to lack of adequate funding. Of four frigates in the class, only ''Amatola'' had undergone a partial refit in 2014–15. Plans for refitting three of the four remaining frigates were to be finalised based on the availability of funding to enable phased refits. The navy planned to prioritize essential maintenance and repair of the frigates ''Spioenkop'' and ''Mendi'' in the interim. In August 2021 the Department of Defence reported to Parliament that the average cost estimate for a frigate refit was R687 million. Were funding to be made available, envisaged possible upgrades included:
* The main naval gun, the
OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact, will be upgraded to enhance both fire-support and self-defence capabilities. The current calibre has long been known to be an interim cost-saving measure, with senior naval officials well aware that the gun is far too small to support operations. Improvement could range from the more affordable: upgrading the 76 mm/62 from Compact to Super Rapid, with the rate of fire increasing from 85 rounds per minute to 120, to the more costly: replacement with the
127 mm/64 Lightweight Naval Gun. Depending on the type of ammunition in use, range could increase from compared to the 76 mm/62. Although a slower rate of fire at 32 rounder per minute, the 127mm/62 would offer far greater hitting power. The naval gun is already in service with four navies, with another three as future operators, including Spain, the Netherlands and Canada. The Algerian
''El Radii''-class frigate is equipped with the 127 mm/64, and is in essence a sister class to the Valour as the ''El Radii'' are also based on the MEKO A-200 design.
* Land attack missiles: the class deliberately lacks a land-attack
cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhe ...
capability for political reasons: such weapons are seen by some as “too aggressive” and out of keeping with the Valour-class's “defensive posture”. However, like its peers the South African Navy recognises the growing importance of fighting in the littoral battlespace and supporting land forces during operations. As a result, a land attack missile capability is likely to be investigated as funds become available and sensitivities are assuaged.
* Current stock of
Exocet MM40 Block 2 anti-surface missiles will be upgraded to Block 3 standard. Engagement range would increase from .
* The Denel
Umkhonto surface-to-air missile will be upgraded to maintain superiority over evolving threats. Current stocks are of the short range point-defence Umkhonto-IR missile with an operational radius of . It has not yet been announced whether the South African Navy wish to purchase the improved medium range, area defence, infrared homing (Umkhonto ER-IR) with a radius of , or the highly capable beyond visual range Umkhonto-R with a radius of over , which is still in development alongside the Brazilian Navy. Alternatively, enhancements have been made to the current IR Block 2 missile, with ranges extended from 15 km to over . This could therefore be the most affordable option.
* The Thales MRR G-band air/surface search radar and the majority of the electronic warfare suite, such as the Grintek EWASION system and the Saab Avitronics radar support system will be replaced.
* The existing combat management system, including the Electro-optical tracker will be replaced, or upgraded by a new system.
* New rigid hull inflatable boats (
RHIBs) with improved communication systems will be carried.
* Embarked
Super Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose twin-engined military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to ...
maritime helicopters will have enhanced self-protection systems.
* After operational experience in the
Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel (french: Canal du Mozambique, mg, Lakandranon'i Mozambika, pt, Canal de Moçambique) is an arm of the Indian Ocean located between the Southeast African countries of Madagascar and Mozambique. The channel is about long ...
on anti-piracy duty, the class will be fitted with
bow thrusters to improve manoeuvrability when working in confined and austere ports in the region.
*
Autonomous underwater vehicle
An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a robot that travels underwater without requiring input from an operator. AUVs constitute part of a larger group of undersea systems known as unmanned underwater vehicles, a classification that includes ...
s (AUV): It is anticipated each of the frigates and the multi-purpose hull vessels will carry an AUV for minehunting purposes, obviating the need for specialist vessels.
*
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
s (UAV): The Navy is following the ongoing development of rotor-propelled UAVs and plan to purchase some, to a scale of two per ship, when the technology matures.
* Indications suggest that the class will be equipped with close-in detection systems in order to face new threats that have emerged in the littoral environment. IED technology has spread to the African region and reports of missile attacks by non-state actors have increased in recent years.
Ships of the class
Naming
The MEKO A-200SAN ships of the South African Navy are collectively called the Valour class, and each commemorates an incident of conspicuous bravery. "The symbolism, however, is not in the battle itself, and who the victors were, but the extreme valour shown by the forces involved — both the victors and the defeated" said navy spokesman Commander Brian Stockton.
''
Amatola'' is named for the redoubt of the famed
Xhosa
Xhosa may refer to:
* Xhosa people, a nation, and ethnic group, who live in south-central and southeasterly region of South Africa
* Xhosa language, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, principally spoken by the Xhosa people
See als ...
chief Sandile, who fought British colonial expansion in the 19th Century,
''
Isandhlwana
Isandlwana () (older spelling ''Isandhlwana'', also sometimes seen as ''Isandula'') is an isolated hill in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It is located north by northwest of Durban. The name is said to mean abomasum, the second st ...
'' is named after the hill dominating the site of one of the most famous
battles
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.
''
Spioenkop
Spion Kop ( , ; af, Spioenkop, ) is a mountain in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is located near the town of Ladysmith, 27 km to the WSW and about 2.5 km to the north of the Spioenkop Dam, a reservoir for the waters ...
'' is named for the January 1900
battle
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
between Boer and British forces for the possession of the hill on the banks of the
Thukela (Tugela) River in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. Spioenkop hill marks the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1899–1902 Anglo Boer War.
There is a progression in the names and the fourth frigate takes its name from a naval incident in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
– but unlike the others, her name commemorates not a battle, but valour during a maritime disaster. The 4,230-gross-register-ton (GRT) passenger ship was ferrying the mostly-
Pondo 5th Battalion,
SA Native Labour Corps (SANLC) from Britain to France when the steamer collided with the 11,000 GRT liner SS ''Darro'' during the early hours of 21 February 1917. Described as South Africa's worst naval disaster, 607 members of the SANLC, nine of their white countrymen and 33 British sailors died when the troopship sank off St Catherine's Light in the English Channel. The Rev. Isaac Wauchope Dyobha led the doomed men in funeral song and dance as their ship went down. On her way home from Germany, SAS ''Mendi'', with , laid a wreath at the coordinates of the disaster on 23 August 2004.
Operational deployment
Since the Valour class were commissioned in 2006/2007, the four frigates have been the South African Navy's most capable and important surface assets. Although the likelihood of a naval engagement with another state actor in the Southern African region is highly unlikely in South African planning, the frigate force maintains a credible military deterrent and protects national interests. The main operational duties of the Valour class have been engaging in anti-smuggling operations, fishery protection, participating in African Union peacekeeping missions and tackling regional piracy with international partners. The class have also been heavily utilised in international training exercises and visits with other naval forces, particularly the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
, the
German Navy
The German Navy (, ) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified ''Bundeswehr'' (Federal Defense), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the ''Bundesmarine'' (Federal Navy) from 1956 to 1995, when ''Deutsche Mari ...
, the
French Navy
The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in t ...
and the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...
.
In 2010, the four frigates were deployed to provide air and sea security for the
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply called the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the ' ( FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The tournament ha ...
that was being hosted by South Africa. Three frigates, at any one time, acted as guardships off the cities of
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
,
Port Elizabeth
Gqeberha (), formerly Port Elizabeth and colloquially often referred to as P.E., is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Sou ...
and
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
.
Since 2011 the deployment to the
Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel (french: Canal du Mozambique, mg, Lakandranon'i Mozambika, pt, Canal de Moçambique) is an arm of the Indian Ocean located between the Southeast African countries of Madagascar and Mozambique. The channel is about long ...
to tackle piracy under Operation Copper has been one of the major and long-standing focuses of the frigate force. After increased piracy for a number of years, fellow
South African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana.
Its goal is to further regional socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security coopera ...
members requested help in policing the crucial import and export sea lane. Since the beginning of operations, every frigate has been deployed on rotation and maritime piracy has fallen substantially, with marines regularly being embarked in order to board suspect vessels.
See also
*
List of active South African Navy ships
This is a list of active South African Navy ships as of 2023. There are approximately 47 ships in commission, this includes 4 frigates, 3 submarines, 2 Minesweeper (ship), minesweepers, 1 Replenishment oiler, replenishment vessel, 1 Survey vesse ...
*
List of naval ship classes in service
The list of naval ship classes in service includes all combatant surface classes in service currently with navies or armed forces and auxiliaries in the world. Ships are grouped by type, and listed alphabetically within.
For other vessels, see ...
* (purchase canceled in 1977)
References
External links
Naval Technology page on MEKO ADefenceWeb Fact file: Valour-class small guided missile frigates
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valour Class Frigate
Frigate classes
Frigates