New SA sub to be launched

[dArKeR]

Cape Town - Another milestone in South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal will be reached on Tuesday in Germany, when the SA navy's latest addition to its maritime arsenal is officially launched.

The first of the Type 209-class submarines, S 101, will be launched in Kiel by the chief of the navy, vice-admiral Johan Retief and his wife Helena.

"This is a unique occasion... where on the same day we launch (a vessel) and name another," said navy spokesperson commander Brian Stockton.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1542489,00.html

[DeadHead67]

1. What the Hell . . . . .

. . . does South Africa need with a submarine? Wouldn't that money be better used to fight the AIDS pandemic?

[DavidMS]

2. Because the Subs being replaced are from the 70s

http://www.mil.za/CSANDF/navymx/history.htm

It makes sense to replace them with 209s. Even though SA has massive social spending needs, 209s are cheap (comparatively speaking to say Nuke powered vessels).