annrep 1011 1 to 148.qxp - Department of Defence

D E P A R T M E N T O F D E F E N C EChapter 8P R O G R A M M E 5 :M a r i t i m e D e f e n c eO v e r v i e wThe FY2010/11 was extremely demanding for the SA Navydue to an increased operational tempo.At the multi-national level, the SA Navy successfully participatedin Exercise ATLASUR - a biennual, joint and combinedmaritime exercise between the Navies of Argentina,Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay. The aim of the exercisewas to provide collective training, improve interoperabilityand enhance mutual understanding on maritime matters forthe participating nations. This exercise was held in Argentina,South America and all the objectives were achieved. The SANavy also participated successfully in Exercise IBSAMAR II- a multi-national exercise involving the navies of Brazil,India and South Africa. The objective of the exercise was toimprove interoperability and this was deemed to have beenan overwhelming success by the participating nations. Theskills and experience acquired during Exercise IBSAMAR IIwill contribute to the SA Navy's ability to deal with issuessuch as conducting humanitarian aid operations and the combatingof threats like terrorism and piracy in the future. TheIndian Commander of the IBSAMAR II Task Force commentedon the exercise as follows: "The meticulous planning,efficient co-ordination and flawless execution of theexercises reflect dynamic leadership, high levels of motivation,well-trained crews, efficient ship management andmaterial preparedness of the three Navies."The SA Navy's international diplomacy program with itsstrong regional focus continued to yield good results. At thestrategic level of international cooperation, the Chief of theNavy or his delegated representative visited the followingcountries: Argentina, China, France, India, Italy, Sri Lanka,UK, Vietnam and USA with reciprocal visits being paid byIndia, Vietnam, UK and USA. Elements of the MaritimeReaction Squadron and support personnel were deployed invarious peacekeeping missions thereby contributing to theRSA's diplomatic initiatives in Africa. The deployment ofthe frigate SAS MENDI on Operation COPPER, an anti-piracypatrol in the Mozambique Channel, further enhanced theRSA's contribution to safety and security in the region. Thecombat support vessel, SAS DRAKENSBERG conductedOperation IKHALA, an emergency evacuation contingencyoperation off the West Coast of Africa.The SA Navy successfully prepared and deployed the SASDRAKENSBERG, the frigate SAS AMATOLA, the hydrographicsurvey vessel SAS PROTEA and the mine countermeasures vessels SAS UMZIMKULU and SAS UMKO-MAAS at the required levels of readiness during the 2010FIFA World Cup (Operation KGWELE). Also deployedwere the submarines SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE andSAS QUEEN MODJADJI I, as part of force preparation toensure maximum maritime security during this period. Whatis significant about Operation KGWELE is that the SA Navywas at its highest level of operational readiness, since theacquisition of the Strategic Defence Packages. In total 16 897sea hours were achieved during force preparation andemployment, of which 3 033 were during the unforeseenoperations off the West coast and in the MozambiqueChannel.The SA Navy acquired the Shallow Water Route SurveySystem and the system proved most effective in mine detectionoperations conducted during Operation KGWELE. Thesystem has proved to be an excellent asset in ensuring thecontinued safety and security of the RSA ports. What isequally significant is that policy option funding obtained wasdirected at providing a core maritime defence capability. Thisis a niche capability that no other state maritime agency couldprovide and also proved to be invaluable during recoveryoperations when it was used to assist the South African CivilAviation Authority to locate and recover the wreckage of thelight aircraft that crashed off Plettenberg Bay.Internally, the SA Navy achieved a payment figure of 99.2%for FY2010/11. The SA Navy also participated actively in thetask team that prepared a report on achieving better efficiencieswith the DOD's budget.An integral part of the SA Navy's planning and strategicdirection process is the SA Navy's social responsibility programme.Several disadvantaged communities have beenassisted and continue to be assisted through these programmes.The ISIVUNGUVUNGU sailing team continuedto attain excellent results in international competitions wheretwo sailors attained ninth position at the Volvo Youth SailingISAF World Championships held in Turkey and fifth positionin the Open 420 World Championships in Haifa, Israel. Atnational level one sailor, Asenathi Jim, was twice nominatedas SA Sailor of the month and eventually became the SASailor of the year for 2010. This great achievement resultedin him being introduced to the Olympic Class 470. He willANNUAL REPORT FY 2010/2011 73