The SAAF Forum

Have a look at http://www.ports.co.za, news, Terry Hudsons site, looks like there has been some action up north.

Wahooo That's great breaking news. We look forward to getting the detailed account of the incident. Thanks for the heads up to the site.

This pic of Drakies sailing this month for Mozambique has suddenly become more meaningful given the apparent success of her mission so far.

According to a member of the Spanish Forum "El Gran Capitán", the Spanish vessel was "Infanta Elena", a Descubierta class OPV.

Why the Drakensberg instead of one of the Meko200's ? Is the fleet not capable of having at least one Meko 200 on patrol at any given time on a continuous basis or was it a requirement that the Spanish battleship be supported by a replenishment ship like the Drakensberg?

Kim Helfrich

SAS DRAKENSBERG is the first South African naval ship to be actively involved in a successful piracy interdiction operation.

The SA Navy’s supply and replenishment vessel was recently deployed to the Mozambican channel on anti-piracy duties replacing a frigate. Its arrival ensured a continuous South African military presence off the continental east coast for more than a year.

“The entire operation, successfully concluded at the end of last week, was kept under wraps for security reasons,” SA National Defence Force head of communications Siphiwe Dlamini said adding it was “proof positive” South Africa was taking its commitment to put an end to piracy in continental waters seriously.

“The Drakensberg’s involvement started with a request for assistance in search efforts by the Tanzanian Navy but changed when a French aircraft located a suspected pirate mother ship off the Tanzanian coast 24 hours later.

“This ship was positively identified as the Sri Lankan fishing vessel Nimesha Duwa, captured by pirates last November and saw the mission change from ‘search’ to ‘interdiction’.

“The Drakensberg, with a full complement of anti-piracy assets including maritime reaction squadron and an Oryx helicopter moved into Tanzanian waters and an intensive 24 hour air and search followed.”

“Poor weather hampered the search but Drakensberg remained committed to forcing the mother ship and its associated skiffs north into the waiting arms of Tanzanian forces,” Dlamini said.

The combined maritime and aerial efforts of four countries forced the suspected pirates to split up with five boarding a skiff and the remainder staying onboard Nimesha Duwa. These five were arrested by Tanzanian authorities on Songo Songo Island.

“The net was still closing around the mother ship and a Spanish warship was first on the scene, boarding it and arresting seven suspected pirates and freeing six Sri Lankan crew members.

“Drakensberg remained on station in the area for another 24 hours to give assistance if needed and has since returned to her designated patrol area in the Mozambican Channel,” he added.

All 11 suspected pirates are now in Tanzanian custody and that country’s legal department has started prosecution for crimes committed in international waters.

23 April 2012: The New Age

...the Spanish battleship...

The Spanish Navy has a battleship!?!?!?!?