The South African Navy (SAN), known in Afrikaans as Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot is the navy of South Africa.

History

The South Africa Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922.

The first ships acquired by the newly formed navy were the HMSAS Protea (a hydrographic survey vessel), the HMSAS Sonneblom and the HMSAS Immortelle (both minesweeping trawlers).

Unofficially, however, the SAN can trace its history even further back, to the Natal Naval Volunteers (NNV), which was formed in Durban on 30 April 1885 as well as to the Cape Naval Volunteers (CNV), which was formed in Cape Town in 1905. On 1 July 1913 these two units were amalgamated to form the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).

In January 1940 a new naval unit, called the Seaward Defence Force, was formed. This unit was to be responsible for operating the minesweepers, anti-submarine services and the other examination and signalling duties in South African waters.

The Seaward Defence Force and the South African RNVR were amalgamated on 1 August 1942 to form the South African Naval Forces (SANF).

On 1 May 1946 the SANF was reconstituted as part of the Union Defence Force and in 1951 the SA Naval Forces became the SA Navy.

South African sailors and ships took part with distinction in both the First and Second World Wars.

When South Africa became a republic on May 31st 1961, the title of HMSAS (Her Majesty's South African Ship) was changed to SAS (South African Ship), and the Crown in the SAN badge was replaced with a lion, the crest from the country's coat of arms.

The SAN also took part in the various internal and border conflicts of South Africa from the 1960s to the early 1990s.

On 27 April 1994 the SA Navy together with the rest of the South African Defence Force (SADF) became part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Current and future ships

Ships currently in service or recently decommissioned

• Warrior (ex Minister) class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) (FAC (M)):
  • SAS Adam Kok (ex SAS Frederic Creswell )
  • SAS Isaac Dyobha (ex SAS Frans Erasmus )
  • SAS Galeshewe (ex SAS Hendrik Mentz )
  • SAS Job Maseko (ex SAS Kobie Coetsee )
  • SAS Makhanda (ex SAS Magnus Malan)

Note: SAS Job Maseko is not in commission and is likely to be withdrawn from service in 2004.

• Spear (ex Daphne) class Submarines (SSK):
  • SAS Spear (ex SAS Maria van Riebeeck)
  • SAS Umkhonto (ex SAS Emily Hobhouse)
  • SAS Assegaai (ex SAS Johanna van der Merwe )

Note: All of these have now apparently been decommissioned.

• Auxilary vessels:
  • SAS Drakensberg Fleet Replenishment Ship (AOR)
  • SAS Outeniqua Fast Lift Ship (AKR)

Note 1: These two ships each carry at least one Atlas Oryx helicopter.
Note 2: The SAS Outeniqua has recently been decommissioned.

• Hecla class survey ship (AGS):
  • SAS Protea

• Other vessels:
  • Various combat support ships, mine countermeasure vessels, tugs and a diving support vessel.

Ships on order or being fitted out

• Valour class Patrol Corvettes (MEKO A-200SAN) (FSG):
  • SAS Amatola (F145) (Has arrived in South Africa, currently undergoing systems trials.)
  • SAS Isandlwana (F146) (Has arrived in South Africa, currently being fitted out.)
  • SAS Spioenkop (F147) (Has arrived in South Africa, currently being fitted out.)
  • SAS Mendi (F148) (Has arrived in South Africa, currently being fitted out.)

Note: Four Super Lynx helicopters have been purchased for use on the corvettes.

• Type 209/T.1400 class Submarines (SSK):
  • Pennant S101 (Currently being fitted out.)
  • Pennant S102 (Currently being built.)
  • Pennant S103 (Currently being built.)

Notes: The three submarines of this class are currently being built in Germany for the SAN and will be delivered from September 2005 onwards, with a 12 month interval between each delivery. Only pennant numbers have been assigned up to now to these submarines, they will be named upon their arrival in South Africa.

External links

• South African Navy home page
• Unofficial South African Navy website