South Africa’s second of three Type 209 submarines was launched in Emden in northern Germany on Wednesday. The boat was christened ”S102”.
Speaking during the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Defence Mluleki George said the naming and launching of any vessel is a significant occasion, as it only happens once in its lifetime.
”The ceremony of today represents but one of the milestones in the life of the vessel, of which there will be many.
”She still has to be completely fitted out, trials and tests carried out, and some fine-tuning done before she can proceed to sea and commence with her first dive,” George said in a speech prepared for delivery received in Johannesburg.
”So, there is still much to be done before she is handed over to the South African Navy and commissioned under South African command and the South African flag prior to her sailing under her own power home to [South Africa].”
George said S102’s sister, S101, is on track to commission later this year.
”Her diving trials were successful and so far all is going well. The last of the three boats, S103, is taking shape following the laying of her keel recently. So, in terms of the project in general, I am happy to report that all seems to be progressing extremely well.”
George also used the opportunity to set the record straight and discount speculations from some quarters with regard to the ability of the personnel of the South African Navy to operate the vessels.
”Uninformed and premature comments with regard to the method that will be used to deliver the submarines to our country were unfortunate. The ministry of defence encourages everyone who require information to approach relevant officials in the department, in order to prevent sowing doubts and confusion in the public mind.
”I will take this opportunity to make it clear that all the submarines will be making their delivery voyages under own power, with South African Navy personnel on board, and under escort by one of the South African Navy surface vessels. In the case of S101, it will probably be the combat support vessel, the SAS Drakensberg.” — Sapa