Article Posted on : - Mar 14, 2017

The Valour class frigate of S African Navy.

ROSTOCK, GERMANY (BNS): South African defence firm Denel has collaborated with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to jointly upgrade the South African Navy's Heroine class submarines and Valour class frigates.

An MoU in this regard has been signed between the two companies in Rostock, Germany, Denel announced on March 11.

Under the agreement, Denel's Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine class submarines (SAS Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadji) and four Valour class Frigates (SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi).

The vessels were commissioned by the SA Navy between 2005 and 2008.

The agreement creates a framework in which TKMS, the original manufacturer of the submarines and frigates, will provide technical and shipyard support as subcontractors to Denel. It will include quality assurance and procurement, on-site technical support, the transfer of technology and the development of the local supply chain.

The training of Denel's technical personnel will take place in Germany.

"This is a major breakthrough for the South African maritime sector as Denel becomes responsible for specialist services on some of the world's most-sophisticated submarines and frigates," Zwelakhe Ntshepe, the Acting CEO of Denel, said.