Chris Louw
IN Denmark they are known as frigates, powerful battleships used in war. But South Africa’s Minister of Defence, Joe Modise, insists that they are nothing more than corvettes, or patrol boats.
The South African Navy will soon acquire four “corvettes” from a foreign country, and indications are that Denmark will be granted the tender in return for buying South African coal.
This week a Danish frigate, the Vaedderin, docked in Cape Town’s harbour and the public was allowed on board for a sneak preview. Modise was treated to a dinner on the Vaedderin on Wednesday evening.
In a recent speech in parliament, Modise insisted that the navy intended buying corvettes “and not frigates”. However, military sources disclosed this week that the Danish ships on offer and eyed by Modise are in fact frigates. This is confirmed by leaflets distributed by the Danes to visitors.
“All that is needed is to remove one container on the ship and replace it with missile guns to change the ‘corvette’ back to a frigate,” an expert said.
The Vaedderin docked in Cape Town at a time when the navy chief, Vice-Admiral Robert Simpson-Anderson, was being entertained by the government in Denmark. Rumours that Simpson-Anderson was secretly flown out by helicopter to inspect the Vaedderin before it docked in Cape Town could not be confirmed.
The ANC leftwing strongly opposes the strengthening of South Africa’s military capability. Permission has, however, been given to the National Defence Force (SANDF) to acquire patrol boats.
This is believed to be the reason why the frigates are now being disguised as “corvettes’.
Deputy defence minister Ronnie Kasrils recently referred to the navy as the “cutting edge” of the SANDF. The navy hopes to be given the green light to purchase “corvettes” after years of behind-the-scenes lobbying. It is believed that naval officers were flown to Denmark during the sanction years to inspect the ships.
* Collins Dictionary describes frigates as: “Brit, a warship smaller than a destroyer; US, a warship larger than a destroyer.” A corvette is described as “a lightly armed escort warship”.