The Corvette Consortium consisting of the Thomson-CSF consortium (African Defence Systems (Pty) Ltd. and Thomson-CSF NCS France) and the German Frigate Consortium (Blohm+Voss GmbH, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG and Thyssen Rheinstahl Technik GmbH), has been awarded a contract by the SA Government for the design, construction and delivery of four Meko A-200 class patrol corvettes and their associated combat suites.

The Meko multi-purpose corvettes will be manufactured by the German Frigate Consortium at the Blohm+Voss GmbH shipyard in Hamburg and Hoswaldswerke Deutsche Werf A.G. in Kiel. African Defence Systems (ADS), a South African subsidiary of Thomson-CSF will carry out a large proportion of the work on the combat systems for the corvettes. There are more than 20 other South African Defence Industry Companies involved in the Corvette Programme.

Platforms will be delivered to South Africa from 2002 to 2003, and subsequently the combat suites produced with the help of the South African Industry will then be tested locally by fully integrated South African and French teams. Final vessel delivery will take place between 2004 and 2005.