Helicopter carrier for the SANDF

[Nellis]

During a conversation the other day, mention was made that the SANDF has initiated a project to purchase a helicopter carrier. Before reacting, I would like to know if anyone else has heard about this project, or is it just a rumour?

[Updraught]

Ja, Boet!

[Agent KooS]

Originally Posted by Nellis

I would like to know if anyone else has heard about this project, or is it just a rumour?

Nellis, it might just be true!

While "down south", minding my own business and not sticking my long agent nose in where it doesn't belong ('n man wat so kan lieg kan steel ook ), I heard that it was not so much that our guys thought it would be nice, but the "supplying nation" and "finger-in-the-pie local EE/AA facilitators" thought it would fly............ I mean float.

Nou wag ons maar en kyk vir die aankondiging. Counter-trade en al daai bollie!

KooS

[Agent KooS]

First with the (skinder) news, Flyafrica!

Nellis, you are going to be named as Accused #2, together with "The Agent".

Source is : http://www.ports.co.za/navalnews/art...9_12_2542.html

KooS

SA Navy to buy fifth frigate
Sep 12, 2006
Author: P&S

According to a report in Business Day South Africa is ready to take up an option for a fifth Meko class A200 frigate from the German frigate consortium that built four other ships for the South African Navy.

The four ships, SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi have all been delivered although only the first two have so far been handed over by the builders and commissioned into the navy.


SAS Mendi, the fourth new frigate for the South African Navy. Picture Terry Hutson November 2004

The report comes as something of a surprise as there has been no indication in public that the navy was keen to go for the extra ship. In fact there has been serious talk of acquiring a range of ships for offshore patrols and also support type vessels along the lines of a helicopter carrier that would be suitable for sea-land support work.

According to the Business Day the fifth ship would cost considerably more than the R1.2 Billion paid for each of the first four frigates. It suggests a fifth ship would now cost in the region of R2 Bn.

The report also stated that the chief of the navy, Rear Admiral Johannes Mudimu had confirmed the intention of buying the extra ship. He said the original contract had been for five ships but only four were taken because of budget constraints.

The navy is awaiting delivery next year of four AgustaWestland Super Lynx helicopters which will serve on board the frigates ? a fifth is now expected to be added to the order.

[deanw]

Nellis, there may just be a little truth in what you've heard!

I've heard that SA needs a decent sized naval platform to support its peace-keeping forces and many of the naval stands at AAD 06, particularly India, placed some emphases on displaying small carrier-type ships.

[Nellis]

My problem with the idea of commissioning a helicopter carrier is where is it going to operate?? The answer may be in hopspots around the world, but we are already having a problem with the SANDF maintaining peace keeping operations on the African continent. Until the SANDF becomes a World Class peace keeping force, we will be restricted to peace keeping efforts within the African Union. I can not see the SANDF moving into other areas becasue Africa has many countries which are ripe for insurrection, etc., now and in the future

Many of the trouble areas are mostly inland from coastal waters, or the country is so large, that it will require a couple of refuelling stops to get to the badlands. If we have a look at the present potential trouble spots in Africa, they are inland - CAR, Chad, Darfur region. All of these very far from the beach.

So my arguement is; the SANDF is already running on a shoe string budget, and the use of a helicopter carrier will place an extra burden on the existing finances available. Will it not be more cost effective to physically fly the helicopters to the "hot spots" as they do now, instead of floating them across the ocean in a boat. Maybe i should say ship or vesel!??!! After all, peace keeping operations do not happen overnight and there is normally weeks of procrastination before any force deploys on a UN/AU mission. There will be plenty time for planners to organize the deployment of helicopters to the area of operations.

The other arguement against the idea of a helicopter carrier, is that some "bright rising star" in SAAF HQ will decide that peace-keeping operations for the helicopter line is not "core business" and then will contract out to the civilian sector to do the job.

Anyone out there who wants to sponsor a private helicopter force for peace keeping/enforcing ops???

"It is amazing that on a bright sunny day, when you look at ants through a magnifyng glass, most of them burst into flame"

[Gatvol]

You guys are good, but where will they find a tree big enough to carve out the hull........

[Nellis]

Looking at the future and the way things are going, the SANDF wil only need a small tree!!

[MysticFlyer]

If you were a big, big tree...we are but a small axe.

[Spice]

It is not a rumour, the Project is registered and will go ahead. It is a 20000t class LHD vessel that will be able to carry 12 x AS32/AH2's and has an amphibious landing capability to.

[wWw]

Originally Posted by Spice

It is not a rumour, the Project is registered and will go ahead. It is a 20000t class LHD vessel that will be able to carry 12 x AS32/AH2's and has an amphibious landing capability to.

Howzit all, my first post... (ok just saw it my second..)

I dunno if you can, but under what name is the project and is it possible to be more specific on the type of ship???

Thanks

[Spice]

The project name I do not have, the project at this stage is in the initial study phase, no specific type of ship/supplier in mind yet.

Spice

[wWw]

Thanks Spice

Unbelievable with 3/4 of the SANDF that can not swim!!! Shame!

[Gatvol]

Who said they need to swim, they need them to row..........

[Garingbal]

Don't need to sweem!
Good pair of hiking shoes.....
sink to bottom, and walk out, easy!!!

[deanw]

The French Navy Amphibious Assault Ship FNS Tonnerre (L-9014) is here in Cape Town in support of French Naval Industry Marketing for the SA Navy's requirement for two/three Landing Helicopter Deck's, Project MILLENIUM.

Heavy seas prevented her from berthing in Table Bay on Monday, but she did dock on Tuesday.

[Beermonster]

Oh goody...!

Another black hole into which taxpayers can dump money so that a couple more scaley bottom dwellers receive a nice kickback.

Meanwhile, the infrastructure crumbles, basic services are breaking down, basic goods are becoming scarce and expensive and SAs are under increasing pressure just to get by day to day.

[golf]

Let's be positive. Maybe it is time for this. We have Oryx's, very expensive Agusta's and soon very expensive Lynx helo's and no where to put them other than a few frigittes(check spelling please). Maybe this will ensure utilisation???

[Vinger]

Guys/Girls,

Again Flyafrica gets it first. I escorted someone for the visit of the French ship (proving voyage.

Now for the news, the SANDF is seriously looking at aquiring not just one but two of these class of ships. The one is in leu of the frigatte they didn't buy and the other will be payed for by the AU and operated by the SA Navy. Now these things are nearly R16bn so we as taxpayers are in for a serious whack, but it pails in comparison to the A400M program which is R9bn for 8 a/c.

What to put on or in her you ask, the A109's are not maritime, the Lynx (all 4) are already taken for the frigattes. Me thinks this is where the problem might come in, but as this specific ship has a shallow draught, being a landing ship as well it can carry a few of the maritime Oryx and pongos and it will be ideal for Africa.

This my view as well as a few officials!!!