The South African Navy is set to commission the first of three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) built by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) into service.
The inshore patrol vessel was built to rejuvenate the patrol capability” of the South African Navy (SAN), and will replace the Warrior Class, (refurbished strikecraft) SAS Isaac Dyobha (P1565), SAS Makhanda (P1569) and the now decommissioned to reserve status SAS Galeshewe (P1567).
SAN Chief, Vice Admiral Mosiwa Hlongwane, will commission on Wednesday, SAS Sekhukhune (P1571), the first of three Warrior Class MMIPVs, at the Simon’s Town naval dockyard.
SAS Sekhukhune (P1571), was laid at Damen Shipyards Cape Town in February 2020 by Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula under a contract awarded by Armscor as Project Biro.
SAS Sekhukhune was laid in February 2019 and the second vessel was laid in August 2020. The first vessel was launched at the end of March last year in Cape Town.
The MMIPVs are based on Damen FCS 5009 Axe Bow design, which ensures low resistance, high sustained speed in waves and superior sea keeping characteristics in the toughest conditions.
The MMIPVs, built to the Stan Patrol 6211 design, have a maximum speed of 26.5 knots, a range of 4 000 nautical miles, systems crew of up to 62. The vessels will each carry one 7 metre long RHIB and one 9 metre long RHIB for boarding operations.
Combat equipment will include a combat management system, radar, forward gun position and heavy machinegun positions.
Reutech is supplying 20 mm Super Sea Rogue turrets with Denel GI2 cannons, as well as RTS 3200 Optronics Radar Tracker (FORT) systems, Kelvin Hughes SharpEye radar systems, and communications systems.
