During 2004, the world joins South Africa in honouring ten years of democratic freedom, a principal milestone since 1994 when the chapter on apartheid was closed. The South African Department of Defence (DOD) also celebrates the creation and transformation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) into a truly South African and representative force. As part of the SANDF, the South African Navy (SA Navy) now serves all the people of South Africa, it is accountable to the country, and it is becoming more capable of defending its territory and supporting foreign policy initiatives to ensure peace and security throughout, especially, the continent of Africa.
MISSION OF THE SAN (SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY)
South Africa's maritime zones2 represent a vast, virtually untapped marine storehouse, containing a wealth of mineral and food resources. The total area of South Africa's maritime zones, which includes the region around its possessions at the Prince Edward and Marion Islands, at more than 1.8 million square kilometres, far exceeds the total area of its land territories. It is for good reason then, that South Africa's maritime zones has been named by the maritime community as its "Tenth Province".
The core business of the SA Navy is "To Fight at Sea" and its mission is "To Win at Sea". This involves not only protection of sea lines of communication, its territorial waters and economic zone, but may include friendly maritime battlespace when operating under the aegis of the United Nations or regional peacekeeping arrangements. Given that the SA Navy is in a quite unique position in this dynamic period, as it is managing the Navy of yesteryear (continued use of, and disposal of old and obsolete systems and equipment), the present Navy (ensuring that the SA Navy fleet capabilities are retained) and the future Navy (preparation and training for systems, materiel and personnel to operate the new patrol corvettes and submarines); these value statements give rise to interesting tasks.
This article will not only review the milestones achieved, but will also give some thought to the challenges for the decade to come. Once the revised DOD and related SA Navy tasks have been noted, the article will analyse how the SA Navy organisation, acquisitions and assets have been, and are being, adjusted and incorporated to ensure mission success. The requirements to meet international and regional obligations will be followed by an assessment of the South African naval industrial base and its ability to satisfy domestic and export requirements, before concluding.
FRAMEWORK FOR SAN MISSION FULFILMENT
In official terms, the SA Navy executes the Department of Defence's Maritime Defence programme, the purpose of which is "to provide combat ready and supported maritime defence capabilities for the defence and protection of the Republic of South Africa."3 As with most Armed Forces, there are three major factors during force design. Firstly, the level of defence required ("The world has changed since 1994, and whilst we still cannot identify any Serious threats to our territorial sovereignty, we still face the demons of poverty and hunger'4, hence, the socio-economic demands of the country are pivotal), secondly, the approved defence posture (in view of the fact that no threat exists for the medium term future and that South Africa desires peaceful co-existence within the international community); and lastly, the defence budget.' (The issue with respect to South Africa's defence budget appears to be dynamic at political level, and requires clarity. At present, the South African defence budget is only at about 1.5% of GDP, which portion includes the Air Force and Navy capital acquisition projects and is slated for a reduction to 1.4% by 2007. The Minister of Defence, Mosiitoa Lekota, has argued for the defence portion of the budget to be increased to 2%, phased in incremcntally. Given the endorsement for regional peace support operations, increased funding would permit the South African National Defence Force to achieve three strategic objectives; carry out regional peace and other missions, ensure adequate training levels and re-equipping those remaining force structure elements.)'' For any Navy, the ideal would be best value along all three preceding parameters, but the resulting inadequacies represent certain risks. These risks are then either accepted, managed; or offset by other means.
SAN ASSETS FOR MISSION FULFILMENT
To fulfil its Mission, the SA Navy has to ensure that its forces are capable of performing tasks which are prescribed by South Africa's Military Strategy. At military strategic level, the primary task is "Defence Against Aggression", at two levels, namely the provision of naval deterrence during peacetime and the execution of naval operations during conflict in own or friendly sea-space. In this sense, the SA Navy's force design is being actioned by appropriate acquisitions. Submarines provide the primary covert deterrence capability, with South Africa being the only country in Africa to effectively operate and maintain submarines. Although this operational capability is in abeyance, the aim of the DOD's Project WILLS is to acquire 3 x Type 209-class submarines to replace the retired "Daphne" class in order to retain South Africa's strategic submarine capability. The Type 209-1400 is from the widely-used Type 209 stable and is a modern, conventionally-powered and highly capable submarine. The main contractor is the German Submarine Consortium (GSC) comprising Flowaldtswerke-Deutschc Werft AG (HDW as lead yard) shipyard in Kiel (with its subsidiary Kockums AB in Sweden), Nordseewerke (NSWE) in Emden and Ferrostaal Trading House. Strategy is to build and accept the complete submarines in Germany and sail fully operational vessels to the RSA (i.e a "turn-key" approach). The combat system is mainly of German design but sub-system components will be largely manufactured in the RSA and shipped to Germany for installation and trialling. One submarine will be built at HDW in Kiel and two in Emden at NSWE. Current progress is that all three submarines are under construction in sections in Germany and Sweden. The first submarine (pennant number SlOl, as yet unnamed) was launched on 15 june 2004. Timescales in Germany are planned for the first submarine to be delivered in 2005, then at yearly intervals until mid-2007.
In terms of providing the primary overt deterrence capability, surface combatants at present comprise four commissioned FAC(M) strike craft. As part of the transitory phase the SA Navy is undergoing, by September 2004, all four VALOUR-Class MEKO® A-200 SAN Patrol Corvettes (named SAS "Amatola", SAS "Isandlwana", SAS "Spioenkop" and SAS "Mcndi"), acquired under Project SITRON, will have been delivered. In Simon's Town the installation, setting to work and integration of the VALOUR-Class warships are on schedule; with harbour and sea acceptance trials being programmed. The acquisition of four SUPER LYNX 300 maritime helicopters, with associated logistic support, was approved during April 2003, the contract placed in August 2003, and the first of this organic helicopter capability for the corvette system is planned to be delivered in 2007.
The other two elements of South Africa's Military Strategy comprise "Promoting security", specifically regional security; and "Support to the People". Typically, the former would embrace functions such as maritime defence cooperation especially but not exclusively within the Southern African Development Community, international security tasks through maritime military co-operation, participation in regional and international peace support operations, support to other government departments - with foreign diplomatic missions playing an important part, as well as the rendering of hydrographie services in the sub-region. Although still in the conceptual phase, various elements of maritime expeditionary force design would be developed to meet these important obligations. This may well include landing platforms so as to enable seaward manoeuvre with respect to the land battle space, as well as general purpose replenishment vessels in order to support naval forces at extended distances from homeports. "Support to the People" maritime elements comprise the provision offerees for maritime border protection and the seaward support of the South African Police Services. In addition, surveillance and enforcement support may be rendered, emergency capabilities would be enacted, search and rescue would be carried out. Here too, missions to the Antarctic (largely to support the South African National Antarctic Expedition) and to the Southern Oceans would be executed. Plans are afoot to introduce multipurpose hulls within the medium to long term - applications which would satisfy a number of these capability needs within envisaged financial constraints. Multipurpose hulls are vessels capable of being configured for roles such as mine countermeasures, minelaying, diving tenders, torpedo recovery, submarine and other rescue, coastal patrol and hydrography.
MISSIONS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The SA Navy, as an integral part of the SANDF, jointly plans to meet its commitments to the country and the region. The SA Navy's Operational Boat Squadron is deployed in Burundi, in a mandate where the United Nations has taken over from the African Union in the area. With respect to international co-operation in preparation for regional operations, a number of force preparation exercises are planned for, with most planning based on past, successful exercises. These include:
* A Southern African Development Community Interstate Defence and security Committee deployment. Entitled INTEROP WEST (to either or both Namibia and Angola) or INTEROP EAST, (to either or both Tanzania and Mozambique).
* Exercise TRANSOCEANIC, a virtual exercise with a number of South American Navies, to which the United States Navy, Angola and Namibia have also been invited.
* Exercise West African Training Cruise (WATC). In concert with the United States Navy, this exercise involves amphibious securing of the littoral during peace support. operations. It is envisaged that the Southern African Development Community member states Namibia and Angola will participate as observers.
* A Peacekeeping Exercise took place in May-June 2004 in Mozambique. This involves the deployment of a multinational force for peacekeeping operations under an international mandate for Southern African Development Community member states, with past exercises named TANZANITE, RAINBOW TREK and OPEN CORRIDOR having been successfully conducted.
* Exercise GERANIUM is an annual exercise with the French Navy, conducting peacekeeping exercises.
* Search and Rescue exercises take place on an annual basis.
OTHER CHANGES
As indicated in NAVAL FORCES IV/02,7 the SA Navy remains underfunded in relation to the ambit of its potential tasks. The SA Navy is committed, however, to maintaining an affordable yet sustainable force structure, and has initiated a range of management issues to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness. To this effect, it has reduced its geographic footprint by scaling down and abolishing units and ships. Naval Base Durban has been reduced to a Naval Station, with supporting units migrating to Simon's Town, which has been designated as the main naval base for the SA Navy. Further, a number of ships and submarines have been decommissioned and the disposal process for these vessels are in an advanced stage. Included in these are SAS "Outeniqua", the auxiliary replenishment vessel acquired from the Ukraine in 1993, SAS "Fleur" (diving tender and torpedo recovery ship), two "Daphne" class submarines (SAS "Assegaai" and SAS "Umkhonto") and the FAC(M) strike craft SAS "Job Masego". In September 2002 the Minister of Defence issued an instruction that the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR) take over the operation and management of the Naval Dockyard Simon's Town, with a steering committee having been constituted to oversee the process. Some facilities have had to be augmented and rejuvenated; including the fuel farm in Simon's Town. Ancillary to Project SlTRON, a command system simulator, an integrated platform management simulator, a missile integration and assembly facility situated at the Armaments Depot, lay-apart stores and new cyclo-converter power supplies for the patrol corvettes are being progressed. Project WILLS facilities requirements include the submarine simulator, work which starts in October 2004, and a new battery workshop; as well as new dockyard work boats to facilitate quayside interface for the new submarines. A project which is aimed at aligning the SA Navy with the requirements of redressing the imbalances of the past, lies in the DOD's Human Resources Strategy 2010. The implementation of the strategy continues to remain a challenge for the SA Navy, both in terms of acquiring demographic representivity at certain (senior) rank levels, and of the recruitment and retention of qualified seagoing personnel (especially divers, combat officers, technical and engineering officers).
SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL BASE TO SATISFY DOMESTIC...
What is noteworthy about the South African Department of Defence's acquisition projects are the "offset" policy issues. Offset refers to the Government policy of ensuring that a certain percentage would be offset by the foreign company cither giving work to the local industry, investing in, or transferring technology to South Africa. This, in South Africa, is contracted at two levels, namely through National Industry Participation and Defence Industrial Participation, the former being projects submitted to the Department of Trade and Industries for consideration and approval. It is clear that the both types of Industrial Participation were an innovative policy, bearing fruit.
The South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence (AMD) Industries collectively known as the SA Defence Related Industry (DRI) is one of the strategic industrial sectors of the South African economy. AMD, as the representative association of companies from the DRI, represents the collective interest of its members. The SA Department of Trade and Industry recognises AMD as the Joint Export Action Group representing the Aerospace and Defence Industries sector." AMD represents all the main players and interest groups within the Defence Related Industry. The membership represents in excess of 90% of defence related business in South Africa and in excess of 97% of all defence related exports. Membership includes the six largest defence related companies (Dcnel, ADS, Reutech, Grintek, Vickers OMC and ATE), ARMSCOR, medium and small enterprises, historically disadvantaged enterprises and international partnership such as BAE Systems, THALES Group (formerly Thomson-CSF) and Boeing SA.
The capabilities of the South African members of AMD represent a wide range of maritime defence related capabilities. There are a number of large South African and internationally owned companies which develop and produce complete user-systems such as surface-to-air missiles; air-to-ground stand-off weapons; radar systems; communications, command control and intelligence systems and electronic warfare systems.
Similarly, a number of companies produce sub-systems like combat suites for ships and armoured vehicles; avionic suites for military aircraft; simulation and training systems and ammunition for mortars, artillery and armoured vehicles. A further number of companies specialise in developing sub-sub-systems such as military specification computers, sights, laser equipment, etc. A final group of companies specialise in the integration of systems, quality systems and specialist logistics support. Due to the flexible nature of the South African Defence Related Industry, the products and services can be tailored to the unique need of the customer.
...AND EXPORT REQUIREMENTS
The South African naval industry is, at various levels, capable of more than receiving and benefiting from Industrial Participation. In some respects; sub-systems may well be classed as class leaders. Analysts of the naval industry in South Africa do not believe that South Africa has a complete naval system capability, although the potential remains - there is shipbuilding capability, and there is combat suite integration capability. Only a project that is sufficiently large will form the catalyst to actuate the potential.
In terms of system capability, African Defence Systems (ADS) offers good value with its combat suite design, setting to work and integration. ADS has an established quality management system, is accredited at ISO 9001 level for its design, software development, manufacture, systems engineering, integration, installation and maintenance of electronic systems. Further participation may well depend upon potential large projects related to the landing platform or the multipurpose hulls, noted above.
At sub-systems naval industrial level, analysts believe that South Africa features very successfully. A non-exhaustive selection of some naval industrial class leaders in South Africa are:
Umkhonto-IR. Denel Aerospace Systems (previously Kentron) has developed and produced the Umkhonto-lK. Surface-to-Air Missile system, being integrated into the VALOURClass corvettes. Meaning 'Spear' in Zulu, it is definitely a top of the league weapon and has good development potential. If it is also selectod for the South African Ground Based Air Defence System (GBADS), and this is a possibility - it will ensure that the technology base is retained and the potential exploited. It has been suggested that other European Navies have also been investigating its feasibility.
Reutech Radar Systems' RTS6400 is widely regarded as one of the best optronic trackers available today, it has a good few years of technology lead in it. The RTS6400 is a X-band combined optronic and radar tracking system using a highly stable TWT and advanced Doppler signal processing. It is being installed in the VALOUR-Class corvettes. However, because it is a very modular design, it can meet most land or sea based fire control requirements. The sensors range from K.u-band radar, dual-band thermal, laser range finder and TV cameras. There appears to be a potential export order, to a presently unidentified country, which will serve to confirm its value.
Electronic Warfare: Avitronics' submarine Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system seems to be leading edge if not class leading, and the associated antennas certainly continue to be well received internationally. Two Navies have already selected it, while other Navies are considering it. It has been selected by Zeiss Optronik as their standard fit for diesel boats. Avitronics' Medium Range Countermeasures Launcher seems to be leading edge technology, although its size needs reduction modification for smaller ships. Its full potential still needs to be exploited - for instance as a launcher for light anti-surface (eg Mokopa)and light surface-toair (eg Mistral) missiles.
Fuchs' 76/62mm Naval Radio Proximity Fuze has seen very good export volumes. Designed to be utilised against sea skimming missiles, as well as in an anti-aircraft role against aerial targets, it can also be used for surface targets or shore bombardment, and is optimised for use on the OTO Melara Standard, Compact or Super Rapid Naval Gun.
Other areas where there are systems that seem to be good and may be near the leading edge include the wider electronic warfare field Avitronics' surface electronic warfare suite, Sysdel's equipment and Grintek Ewation's communications intelligence (Comint) equipment. A particularly noteworthy item here is the new low-cost ESM system developed by Avitronics for coast guard applications. Certainly Grintek's current communications suite generation radios (TR2400/TR2600) and the current Reutech radios seem to be at the top of their respective classes and have found export clients among navies among what would certainly amount to professional and careful buyers.
Periscopes: Eloptro has years of experience in optical surveillance systems for submarine periscopes, which includes maintenance and upgrade of existing systems, as well as the design and development of new periscopes. Eloptro cooperates with Zeiss GmbH in the design and manufacture of new submarine periscopes. Having experience with at least "Daphne" class and Type 209 submarines, Eloptro has also upgraded periscopes for at least one South American Navy.
SMALL CRAFT SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIR CAPABILITY
South Africa has a very good design, development and manufacturing capability in small craft, expecially in the optimised catamaran hulls, but also in rigid inflatable boats. Also in this area there is a high quality design for a highspeed insertion craft, as well as 12m naval or police patrol boat, capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots. Stingray Marine of Cape Town, besides providing products for South Africa, also export military and commercial state-of-the-art marine products.
Looking beyond the defence industry, there is qualitative capacity to handle refits, upgrades and the similar marine and maritime engineering projects, drawing on the capacity of the Dockyard or civil repair yards, existing project management skills, and the wide range of skills in the commercial marine sector. Here, it is important to note the very high technologies involved in the offshore underwater diamond mining industry. Combining some of those skills with those of the defence industry under good project management could make for formidable capacity.
OPTIMISTIC FOR THE WAY AHEAD
It is clear that a long, yet challenging course is left to be charted and followed for the SA Navy. Yet, the S A Navy has shown the required resilience and fortitude to overcome many navigational dangers, and stands at the dawn of a new era. With new equipment, strength and patience it will be master and commander of its destiny. It is the interests of meeting strategic regional challenges that the SA Navy continues to make a powerful contribution. That remains the paramount task to achieve its Mission.
1 Article written by Captain (SA Navy) Frank C van Rooyen. Captain van Rooycn is the Senior Staff Officer Maritime Strategy in the Directorate Maritime Plans at the Navy Office in Pretoria, South Africa. The assistance of Helmoed-Römer Heitman in the survey of the South African naval industry is gratefully acknowledged.
2 Promulgated in the Maritime Zones Act, Act 15 of 1994
3 Defence in a Democracy. Department of Defence Strategic Business Plan FY2004/05 to FY2006/07 ISBN 0-621-35048-6, p51
4 Ministerof Defence M. Lekofa, Department of Defence Budget Vote. South African Parliament, 8 June 2004
5 Defence spending in South Africa peaked in 1978 and 1989, and in real terms it is presently at the level of 1975 and J appears to have declined to about 1,5% of GDP, as in Table 1. The SA Navy's portion of the defence budget is less than 10%.
6 Helmoerf-Römer Heitman, Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 June 2004;p20
7 Interview with Vice AdmiralJ.F. Rerief, Chief of the South African Navy, in NAVAL FORCES IV/02
8 See http://www.amd.org.za
The South African Department of Defense celebrates the creation of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) into a truly South African and representative force. As part of the SANDF, the South African Navy now serves all the people of South Africa. Van Rooyen explores the mission, vision, and plans of the Defense Force.
