South African Corvettes

The first South African Corvette, being built at Blohm + Voss, was christened in June. The international European South African Corvette Consortium (ESACC) has been entrusted with the execution of the building program comprising four corvettes. Part of this international consortium is the German Frigate Consortium (GFC) with Blohm + Voss (lead yard), Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG and Thyssen Rheinstahl Technik GmbH. Two of these corvettes will be constructed at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg. The other two units will be built in Kiel by HDW.

Due to their innovative silhouette, the four ultra-modern stealth corvettes can only be detected by radar systems at close range. In addition, the infrared signature has been significantly minimized as the exhaust will not be blown to atmosphere by funnels but will escape near the water surface. The first corvette will already be handed over to the South African Navy in December this year after a construction time of only 22 months. The ships will be fitted out in South Africa with weapons and electronic systems by the consortium consisting of Thales Naval France and African Defence System Consortium.