THE REQUIREMENT
Being out on the open sea for the past nine days and experiencing the open expands of the Atlantic, one is reminded of the question: "Why was it necessary to buy patrol corvettes for the SA Navy?"
In 1985 the SA Navy lost its capability for effective sustained operations at sea with the retirement from service of the last of the Type 12 frigates. These ships were 'replaced' by 400-ton strike craft (fast missile boats). The strike craft had to patrol South Africa’s huge and open maritime area of operation, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5 million square km.
Despite the excellent service obtained from the strike craft, they were far too small to operate effectively in the prevalent sea conditions of the South African waters. They could also not operate maritime helicopters. (Helicopters are a force multiplier, because they give surface ships a ten-fold increase in reconnaissance and patrol coverage and also play an important role in anti submarine and surface warfare.)
When the project was launched in 1993 to restore proper surface combatant platforms to the South African Navy, the following requirements were included:
- High endurance, mobility and habitability for sustained surface operations.
- An effective organic maritime helicopter capability.
- Effective defensive capabilities against aircraft and missiles.
- An anti submarine warfare (ASW) capability.
- Effective surveillance patrol, crisis response and peace support operations capabilities (particularly stability projection operations).
- Effective monitoring and protection capabilities of the South African marine resources and environment within the South African EEZ.
- Disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations capabilities.
THE DESIGN FEATURES
The contract to build the four MEKO A200 (SAN) patrol corvettes was awarded to a German consortium. The specific evolution of the MEKO A200 platform, designed along specific requirements, is unique to the SA Navy. Design requirements included the following:
- Stealth design (very low radar, infra-red, acoustic and magnetic signatures), contributing to the force multiplier concept. Stealth design aspects
include
- a horizontal exhaust (a world first for a major warship) to reduce infra-red signatures;
- an X-shaped outer hull to reduce radar signature; and
- water-jet propulsion (another world first for a major warship).
- Survivability (low vulnerability), enabling the ship to withstand direct attacks. This includes
- armour protection;
- an outstanding automated damage control system; and
- biological and chemical defence systems.
- Mobility (effective operative ability within the South African EEZ), which is also a tactical force multiplier. Mobility design aspects include
- excellent sea-keeping performance in all sea conditions, with unlimited helicopter operations and fast transit times in heavy seas;
- excellent unreplenished range and endurance for sustained autonomous operations to well beyond the Equator to the east and west of the African continent;
- the capability to replenishment at sea (RAS).
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
|
Dimensions: |
Main Data: |
|
Length (overall) |
121 m |
Displacement (full load) |
3590 t |
|
Length (waterline) |
107.3 m |
Speed (maximum, continuous) |
28 knots |
|
Beam on 1st deck |
16 m |
Speed (maximum, diesel engines) |
23 knots |
|
Beam (waterline) |
15 m |
Cruising speed |
15 knots |
|
Depth to 1st deck |
9.9 m |
Range at cruising speed |
7 700 nm |
|
Draught (full load) |
4.40 m |
Endurance |
28 days |
|
Draught (navigation) |
5.95 m |
Complement |
107 |
Growth Potential (built-in growth potential, easily upgradeable should the need arise):
- Excellent reserve margins for electrical power, cooling, stability, cables, etc.
- Extra compartments and spaces reserved specifically for later growth.
- Can carry containers on the upper deck.
Spare Personnel Capacity:
- Can carry a large number of additional personnel.
- Can carry approximately 500 refugees or disaster victims for a short duration.
Training Facilities:
- Special accommodation for trainees.
- A dedicated classroom on board.
Habitability and Comfort (important for morale and sustainability):
- Excellent accommodation and recreation facilities for all ranks.
- Accommodates men and woman, arrangement flexible in terms of requirement.
GENERAL INFORMATION (AS ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2004)
The total distance from Kiel to Simon’s Town: 5 186 nm (9 604 km)
Distance covered to date: 2 979 nm (5 517 km)
Remaining Distance: 2 207 nm (4 087 km)
Fuel consumption: 21 t per day
Average depth of the water: 5 000 m
Sea state: 3
Nearest land abeam: Angola at 1 060 nm
Weather: cloudy to partly cloudy
Wind: south-east, 17 to 20 knots
The ship’s company uses approximately 60 eggs, 48 litres of milk, 10 loaves of bread and 7.8 ton (that is 7 800 litres) of fresh water per day.
