First of four SA naval corvettes commissioned

The SAS Amatola was today handed over from the European South Africa Corvette Consortium to government, and then commissioned into the South African Navy.

The fully operational MEKO A200-class vessel, among the most advanced warships in the world today, is one of four such frigates which have been delivered to the country as part of government’s multi-billion strategic arms package.

"The corvettes will be critical in ensuring that for many years to come the Navy will be able to provide the requisite levels of operations and support to ensure stability, peace and security of both the Indian and Atlantic ocean coastlines of SA, southern Africa and further afield," said Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota during the military parade.

Lekota told Sapa that eventually commissioning the vessel after the controversy spawned by the arms deal, was "worth it".

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