Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

SAS Mendi (F148)

2007 MODERN NAVY

History

SAS Mendi (F148) is a four-man Valor-class frigate/frigate of the South African Navy. Her sisters include SAS Amatola (F145), SAS Isandlwana (F146) and SAS Spioenkop (F147). The vessel was launched on 28 June 2002 and launched in October 2003 for the necessary sea trials. After successfully completing these tests, she was officially commissioned with the South African Navy on 20 March 2007.

SAS Mendi is named after the SS Mendi, a 1905 passenger ship that served as a warship during World War I, after a collision with the SS Darro that killed her 646 passengers and crew - an accident marked in the history of the South African Navy, one of the largest loss of life in the United States. On August 23, 2004, her sinking area was marked during a ceremony in the presence of the new SAS Mendi. The ship is docked at its home port outside Simon's Town (also known as "Simonstown") and can be identified by its pennant "F148". It was built at the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard in Kiel (as part of the European South African Corvette Alliance) with German help before handing over to the South African Navy in September 2004.

The SAS Mendi marks the last Valor-class frigate/frigate produced by the South African Navy.

Note: The South African Navy considers the SAS Mendi to be a corvette. However, its qualities and firepower are more similar to other frigates in the global inventory.

SS Mendi's design makes extensive use of large-area panels to forgo detail and radar-attracting protrusions, while enhancing stealth through sloping surfaces and hidden deck fittings. The forecastle is a slender, almost featureless hull section leading to the main superstructure containing the bridge and air/surface search radome units. Deck guns are installed in front of the superstructure and can be used for long-range attack or offshore bombardment of surface ships as needed. In contrast to an open lattice structure, the masts on the superstructure are completely enclosed.

There is a clear gap between the forward and aft superstructures amidships to accommodate a pair of Flyfish surface-to-surface missile launchers - one on port and the other on starboard. The stern superstructure contains the conventional nature of the ship's funnel for ejecting the diesel turbine engine, while the pyramid-shaped mast towers above. A pair of boats are partially exposed along each side of the stern superstructure, while a rotorcraft hangar is located at the rear of the stern superstructure. Behind the hangar is an open-air flight deck for helicopter launch and recovery. A double-barreled turret protected the rear of the ship.

The hangar can also be used as an internal warehouse when the Mendi is called on for humanitarian assistance missions. A service crane is installed on the starboard side of the ship near the hangar for unloading/loading supplies.

Military naval frigates have historically been well-equipped, and their armament should reflect a mix of weapons designed to address the various possible threats (land, sea or air) to the Allied fleet or the ship itself. Therefore, Mendy was equipped with a 76mm/67 Otobreda compact deck gun on the forecastle forward of the bridge deck. Behind the deck guns are 2 x 8 (16) vertical Umkhonto surface-to-air missile launch units.

The stern is defended by a twin-barreled 35mm LIW (Denel) 35DPG dual-purpose cannon above the hangar door. A pair of 4-cell (2x4) Excocet MBDA MM 40 Block 2 surface-to-surface missile launchers share front and rear superstructures.

Two super barricade chaff decoy launchers protect the ship from missile attack. A pair of 20mm Oerlikon Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) protect the superstructure from point attacks.

Mendi's air wing consists of one or two Westland SuperLynx 300 Navy helicopters. Her total crew, seamen, pilots and mechanics included 152 personnel. Electronics include Thales MRR 3D air search radar kit with 2 Racal Bridgemaster E navigation systems. Fire control is carried out by 2 x Reutech RTS 6400 systems.

Sonar functionality is enabled by the Thomson Marconi 4132 Kingklip Series Active Search Hull Mounted Sonar Array.

The Mendi is powered by 2 x diesel engines and 1 x gas turbine, producing propulsion through 2 x shafts. There is also a built-in water jet. Top speed in ideal conditions is 30 knots and range is up to 8,000 nautical miles.

The overall length is 397 feet, the beam is 53.5 feet, and the draft is 19.5 feet. The Mendi displaces 3,700 tons.

To date, SAS Mendi has carried out various operations, including anti-piracy activities and general exercises. Its modern, future-proof design should make it a stable part of the South African Navy's operations for decades to come.