The refit of the South African Navy’s Valour class frigate SAS Isandlwana is due for completion in March next year, at a cost of nearly R600 million.
This is according to an Armscor presentation on South African naval and air force contracts, delivered to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on 13 June. The refit is being carried out by Sandock Austral Shipyards in Durban as well as at Transnet’s Prince Edward Graving Dock in Durban.
The project started on 6 May 2024 and is due to conclude on 31 March 2026, at a cost of R597 million, according to Armscor. Harbour trials are expected from August, and sea trials in October before handover on 31 March next year, although there is a chance this may be delayed to June. Armscor noted that work has progressed slower than anticipated.
Armscor currently has tender ENLS/2025/15 out for the “procurement of maintenance spares for frigates.” Issued on 4 June, closing date is 25 June 2025.
Two years ago, National Treasury allocated R1.4 billion for the refit of one of the Valour class Meko frigates and a single Heroine Class Type 209 submarine. Armscor this month in its presentation to Parliament stated that the Armscor Naval Dockyard had advertised a request for bid (RFB) to the industry for the support services required for the submarine refit, which is currently in the evaluation phase. Five orders for submarine spares have been placed, with three orders delivered and two in progress.
The Navy in 2023 told the JSCD that Project Syne, for the mid-life update of the four frigates, would cost an estimated R5 billion while Project Napoleon, for the upgrade of the three submarines, would cost R3.8 billion. According to the Department of Defence, the average cost estimate for a frigate refit is R687 million with a submarine refit costing R660 million.
The frigate SAS Amatola was partially refitted in 2015 but no further work has commenced. No refits have been done for the SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi, even though first refits were due in 2012/13 and second refits in 2018/19. The frigates were due to have four refits and a mid-life update during their service lives before being decommissioned in 2036 and 2037.
As for the submarine fleet, SAS Manthatisi was partially refitted in 2014, with a mid-life update scheduled for 2022 but not commenced. The refit of the SAS Charlotte Maxeke in 2015 was not completed while the SAS Queen Modjadji I’s 2016 refit was not commenced. The submarines were due for three refits and mid-life updates before being decommissioned in 2038 (SAS Manthatisi), 2039 (SAS Charlotte Maxeke), and 2040 (SAS Queen Modjadji I).
On a more positive note, Armscor told the JSCD that Project Biro for the acquisition of three Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) is progressing well and there are no challenges currently experienced. The third and final MMIPV (SAS Adam Kok III) was delivered in March 2025 with its naming ceremony taking place on 25 April.
“The logistic support elements is still being delivered progressively for each vessel. The MMIPV project is entering its final interim support phase and is progressing in accordance with the contracted functional performance and cost,” Armscor stated.
However, the option to order additional MMIPVs expires in June 2025. “A budgetary estimate of approximately R800 million (2023 value) needs to be allocated by the DoD to provide the SAN with an upgradable fourth MMIPV,” Armscor said. If the option for the fourth MMIPV is exercised, it would be delivered with minimal combat capabilities, but could be upgraded later. Such an approach would allow for a reduction in cost due to selected combat systems being fitted for but not with the MMIPV.
Armscor also provided an update on various maintenance and support contracts for SA Navy vessels. It has a R77 million order with GRIMMS for propulsion system maintenance and support. This includes a 3 000 hour service on the starboard main engine of the SAS Drakensberg, a 250 hour service on the port and starboard generators for the tug Indlovu, a service on a diesel generator for the SAS Mendi, a 6 000 hour service on diesel generators for the SAS Protea, and replacement of two engines on the SAS Tekwane T-class patrol vessel.
Greenro Solutions has been awarded a R46 million contract for various naval maintenance support while Cybicom Atlas Defence has a R62 million contract for the maintenance and support of underwater and fire control systems including the Submarine Control Station Simulator.
Reutech has a R28 million contract for the support of tracking systems on all Navy vessels, including repair of the Optronic Radar Tracker on the SAS Amatola and FORT systems on Biro vessels, and a R101 million contract for supporting communication systems. Thales South Africa Systems is busy with a R53 million contract for frigate combat management system support.
Other smaller contracts have been placed by Armscor with Saab Grintek Defence (R30 million) for naval vessel electronic warfare system support; Denel Land Systems (R8 million) for 35 mm, 76 mm and 20 mm gun support; Denel Dynamics (R15 million) for Umkhonto surface-to-air missile support; MBDA (R60 million) for Exocet missile support, including replacement of expired warheads; DNV (R13 million) for classification support services to maintain the submarines; and Greenro Solutions (R14 million) for the replacement of chiller plants on the SAS Drakensberg.
Regarding the Navy’s Exocet missiles, Armscor warned that they will become obsolete in 2031 “which needs serious consideration for either an upgrade or replacement which has significant financial implications.”
