Valour class frigate

The South African Valour class frigates are the major surface ships of the South African Navy. The German manufacturer designates them as the MEKO A-200SAN class, member of its MEKO family of naval ships. They were designed and built using principles of stealthy design, including the extensive use of "X-form" structure design in which right angles and vertical surfaces are avoided and techniques to reduce the infrared signature, such as exiting the exhaust below the waterline. Blohm + Voss, the designers, claim the class has the radar signature of a vessel half its size, 75% less infrared signature than previous designs as well as a 20% lower life cycle cost, 25% less displacement and 30% fewer crew.Fact|date=February 2008

Ships of the class

History

The four Valour class frigates are a German design by the firm Blohm + Voss, designated as MEKO A-200SAN by the shipbuilders, and are part of Blohm + Voss's MEKO series of frigates. Similar ships are being built in Poland for the Polish Navy.

They are/were built by Blohm + Voss shipyards in Germany, two in Hamburg and the other two in Kiel.

Aircraft

The flexibility of the hangar and flight-deck design enables a wide range of helicopter options to fit requirements such as: 2 Westland Super Lynx helicopters (sea state 6 day and night operation); or 1 Westland Super Lynx plus 2 UAVs; or 1 Atlas Oryx (sea state 5 day and night operation); or 1 Rooivalk (sea state 5 day and night operation).

Additional Units

There now exists the possibility of the purchase of a fifth Valour-class frigate, which was provided for as an option in the original contract. South Africa is reportedly negotiating with the German Frigate Consortium for the procurement of a fifth Valour-class frigate and, possibly, the option for a sixth unit.

Under an initial deal in 1999, the South African Navy (SAN) was to receive five units of the class. However, budget constraints limited the initial purchase to the four units that have been delivered thus far.

Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has indicated that the original deal with Germany, which included the frigates and military equipment for the Army and Air Force, is almost paid off and the Defense Ministry could now move forward with additional procurements.Fact|date=July 2008 Pricing will likely play a big role as to whether the SAN gets one or two additional units. Possible names for the ship(s) are, as of this time, unknown.

ee also

*D'Estienne d'Orves class (purchase canceled in 1977)

External links

* [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/meko/index.html Naval Technology page on MEKO A]
* [http://www.navy.mil.za/equipment/valour.htm South African Navy: Valour Class frigate page]