German Navy arrives in Cape waters

Feb 17, 2008
Author: P&S

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
The German Navy Frigate 211, FGS Köln, photographed as the vessel arrives outside Simon’s Town Naval Harbour at 08h50 this morning (Sunday 17 February 2008). In the background is the German Navy Transport vessel A1435, Westerwald, which arrived in Simon’s Town last week, and on the left is the white-hulled South African Hydrographic Survey vessel SAS Protea.
FGS Köln is one of eight Bremen class frigates that were commissioned between 1982 and 1990. The ships are based at Wilhelmshaven, forming the 4. Fregattengeschwader (4th Frigate Squadron) of the German Navy. Picture and description by David Erickson


The following notice concerning the forthcoming naval exercises between the South African and German Navies has been released by the South African Navy:


From 18 February to 18 March the seas and skies surrounding Cape Town will be used to conduct military exercises between South Africa and Germany. This series of exercises will be called EXERCISE GOOD HOPE III.

This will be the third time that military exercises will be conducted in South African waters between the two countries, with the last exercise taking place two years ago. During this year’s exercise there will be more than 1,800 personnel, 15 ships and 16 aircraft from both countries taking part.

The “theatre of operations” will be around Cape Town and some exercises will be conducted at the Overberg Military Test Area near Bredasdorp and Arniston/Waenhuiskrans. Some of the types of exercises will include live missile and gun firings, anti-submarine warfare with mock torpedo attacks, anti-aircraft drills, fleetwork and manoeuvring and more.

The objectives that both countries want to achieve with these exercises are:

* To enhance and maintain the comprehensive defence capabilities of the two armed forces.
* To develop a common understanding of military interoperability and foster mutual trust, respect and co-operation between the German Armed Forces and the SANDF.
* To upgrade operational means and methods of multi-national conventional forces by employing different types of equipment whilst conducting and exercising according to a common set of guiding principles.

The German Defence Force will be represented by two Frigates (FGS HAMBURG and FGS KÖLN) and two Combat Support Vessels (FGS BERLIN and FGS WESTERWALD), six Tornado Fighter Aircraft and two Lynx Helicopters.

The SANDF will send three Frigates (SAS AMATOLA, SAS ISANDLWANA and SAS SPIOENKOP), one Submarine (SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE) two Strike Craft (SAS GALESHEWE and SAS ISAAC DYOBHA), two Minehunters (SAS UMZIMKULU and SAS UMKOMAAS), two Inshore Patrol Vessels (SAS TERN and SAS TOBIE) and the Combat Support Vessel SAS DRAKENSBERG. In addition to this there will also be six Cheetah Fighter Aircraft and two Oryx Helicopters (of the SAAF).

The public of Cape Town will be invited to view the German vessels at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday 1 March to Sunday 2 March 2008. Thereafter the public can view most of the SA Navy and German vessels during the annual Navy Festival from 14 -16 March 2008 in Simon’s Town.

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Footnote
The navy has confirmed that the German ships will not be visiting any other South African ports during their visit.