History
South Africa
NameSAS Queen Modjadji
NamesakeA South African Rain Queen
BuilderNordsee Werke, Emden[1]
Launched18 March 2006
Commissioned22 May 2008
IdentificationPennant number S103
Statusin active service (awaiting refit as of 2023)[2]
General characteristics
TypeHeroine-class submarine
Displacement1,454 t (1,431 long tons), submerged
Length62.0 m (203 ft 5 in)
Beam7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
Draft5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
PropulsionDiesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Speed
  • 10 knots (19 km/h), surfaced;
  • 21.5 knots (40 km/h), submerged
Range
  • 11,000 nmi (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h) (surfaced,)
  • 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 10 knots (snorkeling)
  • 400 nmi (740 km; 460 mi) at 4 kn (7.4 km/h) (submerged)
Test depth500 m (1,600 ft)
Complement30
Sensors and
processing systems		Sonar: STN Atlas CSU-90; hull mounted and flank arrays

Radar: Surface search I-band

Optics: Zeiss non-hull penetrating optronic mast
Electronic warfare
& decoys		ESM: Grintek Avitronics, intercept + radar warning receiver ELINT: Saab S/UME-100 tactical electronic support measures
Armament

SAS Queen Modjadji is a variant of the Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) of Germany, currently in service with the South African Navy. She was named after the South African Rain Queen on 14 March 2007 by the ship's sponsor, Mrs. Rita Ndzanga, at a ceremony in Emden, Germany.[3][4]

Background

South Africa placed a contract for three Type 209/1400 submarines in July 2000 on Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Thyssen Nordseewerke. The Type 209/1400 submarines replace the French-built Daphné-class submarines, SAS Spear, SAS Assegaai and SAS Umkhonto which were decommissioned in 2003. The Heroine class are sometimes considered to be South Africa's first "true" submarines, as they were more suited to being underwater than the Daphné models.[5]

History

Queen Modjadji arrived in Simonstown on 22 May 2008.[6]

Commander Handsome Thamsanqa Matsane became the first black officer to command a South African submarine when he took command of Queen Modjadji in April 2012.[7] SAS Queen Modjadji was involved in an accident on the 17 July 2012 when the submarine hit the seabed during training. A 1.5-by-1.5-metre (4.9 ft × 4.9 ft) dent was made in the outer protective plating.[8]

The submarine took part in the joint naval exercise Good Hope V between the South African Navy and the German Navy. The exercise also included the South African Air Force and took place in March 2012.[9] The submarine participated in two further naval exercises in 2012; the multinational maritime exercise between the navies of South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, Atlasur IX between 24 September and 10 October 2012 and Exercise IBSAMAR III, a trilateral naval exercise between Brazil, India and South Africa from 10 to 26 October 2012.

As of August 2021, Queen Modjadji was said to be in urgent need of a refit but funding was not immediately available. The Department of Defence stated that plans for the refit of the submarine would be finalised "based on the availability of progressive funding to enable the phased commencement of [her] refit. The average cost of a submarine refit was reported to be R660 million, the department stated.[10] As of April 2023, Queen Modjadji was undergoing preservation and pre-refit planning activities, in preparation for a refit.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Fact file: Heroine-class diesel-electric submarine". defenceweb.co.za. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. ↑ Lesedi, Sarah (13 April 2023). "South African Navy allocated R1.4 billion to refit fleet". Military Africa. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  3. ↑ SIYAKHULA/070323_Sitrep08/article.htm
  4. ↑ "The SA Navy Proudly Welcomes SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE and SAS QUEEN MODJADJI". Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
  5. ↑ Leon Engelbrecht (2008-02-05). "SA gets third submarine". ITweb. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  6. ↑ "Queen Modjadji 1 arrives in Simon's Town". ports.co.za. 27 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  7. ↑ Davids, Nashia (30 April 2007). "Mariner's Crowning". Times Live. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "SAS Queen Modjaji's hull received 1.5 x 1.5 m dent in accident". defenceweb.co.za. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Rakoma, Ally (27 March 2012). "Exercise Good Hope Concludes". Department of Defense of South Africa. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Martin, Guy (20 August 2021). "Refit of SA Navy frigates and submarines stalled by lack of funding". DefenceWeb.co.za. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  11. ↑ Lesedi, Sarah (13 April 2023). "South African Navy allocated R1.4 billion to refit fleet". Military Africa. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
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