South African Navy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South African Navy |
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The flag of the South African Navy
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| Active | 1861 – present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Type | Navy |
| Size | 6,104 (Active) 1,000 (Reserve) |
| Part of | South African National Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Saldanha Bay, Simon's Town, Durban |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs | Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula |
| Chief of the Navy | Vice Admiral Refiloe Mudimu |
| Master at Arms of the Navy | Senior Chief Warrant Officer Pragasen Moodley |
| Notable commanders |
ADM Hugo Biermann |
The South African Navy is the navy of the South African National Defence Force. The role of the South African Navy is to conduct naval operations in defence of the Republic of South Africa.
The current organisation of the South African Navy dates back to 1 April 1922, when the South African Naval Service (SANS) was created. (However, colonial naval volunteer units date back as far as 1861.) The South African Naval Service was later expanded and renamed to the South African Naval Forces (SANF). In 1951, the South African Naval Forces was renamed to the South African Navy and the ship title HMSAS (His Majesty's South African Ship) was changed to SAS (South African Ship) one year later.
Strength
The South African Navy has a strength of 6,104 active military personnel. The navy is divided into a Combat Fleet and a Support Fleet. The Combat Fleet is made up of five Valour-class frigates, three Heroine-class submarines, three Warrior-class patrol vessels, three T-class patrol vessels, three River-class mine countermeasures vessels, and twenty-one Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats. The Support Fleet is made up of one replenishment vessel, one Hecla-class survey vessel, and three tugboats. The navy also includes an infantry-trained special forces unit called the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS).
Images for kids
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SAS Immortelle, circa 1935
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Members of the South African Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve serving on board HMS Nelson (28) during WWII
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SAS Jan van Riebeeck pictured when still named HMS Wessex
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A view of Simon's Town and the naval base
