Naval Warfare

First Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel for the South African Navy is launched

26th March 2021 - 06:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The MMIPV will enhance the South African Navy’s ability to respond effectively, rapidly and cost-effectively to a variety of threats.

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) launched the first of three Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV) for the South African Navy (SAN) on 25 March 2021.

The vessels will augment South Africa’s maritime security by enhancing the country’s capability to respond to threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing.

The testing of the ship systems will now commence before the vessel will officially be delivered to ARMSCOR/SAN, before the end of the year.

The MMIPVs are built according to the Damen Axe Bow design, which the company said ensures low resistance, high sustained speed in waves and superior sea keeping characteristics in the toughest conditions.

‘As vertical accelerations are reduced significantly and bow slamming almost eliminated, the safety of the vessel and crew increases considerably, reducing operational risks. The multi-mission deck is used for supporting diving, search and rescue and anti-piracy operations,’ DSCT said in a 25 March statement.

The engineering of the vessel commenced in 2018 and the keel was laid in February 2019.

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