False alarm about Indian destroyer visit to South Africa

Aug 25, 2006
Author: P&S

According to the Indian High Commission in South Africa the Indian Navy destroyer INS Mumbai is not visiting South Africa from next week or in the near future. The military attaché in Pretoria told Ports & Ships yesterday (Thursday) he had no knowledge of a visit by any Indian Navy ship at this time.

Durban will however have a visit by the South African Navy combat support ship SAS Drakensberg in the near future. The ship is on a routine cargo run to Salisbury Island.

Another SAN vessel, the mine countermeasure vessel SAS Umkomaas which has been taking part in naval diving exercises this week at Richards Bay in the company of the strike craft SAS Galeshewe, has entered Durban for urgent repairs and is currently on the synchrolift at the island.

Meanwhile it has also been learned that a female officer will shortly be appointed as commanding officer of SAS Galeshewe, the first time that a woman has taken command of one of the navy’s ships.

The navy recently announced the appointment of its second female admiral – Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Laura Jansen van Vuuren. She became the first white female flag officer in the navy as well. Admiral van Vuuren has been in the navy since 1977, having joined at the time of the SWANS (South African Women Auxiliary Naval Services).

In other naval news the South African frigate SAS Amatola will shortly leave for South America to take part in this year’s Atlasur joint naval exercises along with ships of Brazil and Argentina. It’s not yet known if other ships will be accompanying SAS Amatola.