Blessing ceremony marks project success!
On 1 March, Damen Shipyards Cape Town hosted the blessing ceremony for the third Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel (MMIPV) to be delivered as part of Project Biro. The vessels will provide a significant boost to South Africa’s capability to respond effectively, rapidly and cost-efficiently to threats from the water.
The vessel is reportedly going to be named SAS Chief Adam Kok, but it is not confirmed. The other MMIPVs – SAS King Sekhukhune (P1571) and King Shaka Zulu (P1572) – continue the Warrior Class started with the renaming of the then strike craft flotilla.
The MMIPVs are designed to deliver a rapid response capability along South Africa’s coastline to counter piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling operations. Their Sea Axe Hull design, patented by Damen, ensures exceptional seakeeping behaviour, reduced fuel consumption, and enhanced safety and comfort onboard.
The blessing of SAS Chief Adam Kok, one of three Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV) to be delivered as part of Project Biro, a partnership between DSCT, ARMSCOR, and the South African Navy, took place recently at Damen Shipyards in Cape Town
The blessing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the MMIPV and underscores the success of the partnership between DSCT, ARMSCOR, and the South African Navy. Project Biro has made substantial contributions to job creation and the development of small and medium enterprises in the country, serving as a bridge between the global maritime community and the talent present in South Africa.
A total of 848 local vendors actively participated in the construction of the MMIPVs, showcasing the success of South Africa’s localisation and industrial participation policy. Throughout the project, DSCT estimates that more than one million man-hours of work were generated, reinforcing regional supply chains, and creating opportunities for skilled job seekers.
The moving of SAS Chief Adam Kok. Picture courtesy Michel Naidoo, Electronic Fitter (Radio/Radar) Ships at South African Navy
Over the years, this project has actively supported over 1 000 direct jobs and employed nearly 4 000 individuals indirectly.
The entire Project Biro is due to be completed in August 2025 at a cost of R3.8 billion. To date R2.9 billion has been paid. An option to order additional MMIPVs has been extended by DSCT to 31 December 2023.
The three new vessels acquired under Project Biro are multi-role and will be used for missions such as patrol, mine counter-measures, deep diving training, search and rescue, submarine torpedo recovery, humanitarian assistance and anti-pollution tasks, amongst others. They will be integrated into the SAN as the older strike craft are taken out of service. The MMIPVs will be a major boost to the SA Navy, which last took into service large vessels in the early 2000s (the four Valour class Meko frigates).
The three new vessels acquired under Project Biro are multi-role and will be used for missions such as patrol, mine counter-measures, deep diving training, search and rescue, submarine torpedo recovery, humanitarian assistance and anti-pollution tasks, amongst others. Picture courtesy Michel Naidoo, Electronic Fitter (Radio/Radar) Ships at South African Navy
Project Biro was originally for six inshore patrol vessels and six offshore patrol vessels, but due to budget constraints, the SAN had to settle for three inshore patrol vessels.
All three MMIPVs are DSCT Stan Patrol 6211 design platforms. The 62 metre long, 750 ton vessels have a 20 knot economical speed and a range of 2 000 nautical miles. Each vessel is fitted with a Reutech 20mm Super Sea Rogue marine gun and Reutech FORT (Frequency Modulated Optical Radar Tracker) Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) optronics radar tracking system.
September this year will see the scheduled commencement of sea trials for multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV) number three.
