South African Warship Mendi
By James Donahue
The SAS Mendi is a relatively new addition to the South African Navy. The 397-foot warship was launched in 2003, was commissioned in 2007 and has since been active in various deployments including an anti-piracy campaign in South African waters.
The Mendi is considered by the local navy to be a Valour-class corvette although its design and firepower make it more akin to a frigate. It is technically listed as a Guided-Missile Frigate/Corvette Warship. It is powered by two diesel engines and duel propellers giving the ship a top speed of 30 knots.
While well concealed, the Mendi is armed with a 76 mm deck gun at the forecastle for engagement of surface vessels, twin 35mm cannons aft, and two 20mm guns positioned to defend the superstructure from point attacks. She also has a pair of Exocet surface-to-surface missile launches at port and starboard and two decoy launchers designed to protect the ship from missile attack.
Mendi also has a rotary-wing aircraft hangar and flight deck located aft, designed for launching and recovery of helicopters and up to two Westland SuperLynx 300 helicopters.
The ship’s crew includes 152 officers, sailors, airmen and mechanics.
By James Donahue
The SAS Mendi is a relatively new addition to the South African Navy. The 397-foot warship was launched in 2003, was commissioned in 2007 and has since been active in various deployments including an anti-piracy campaign in South African waters.
The Mendi is considered by the local navy to be a Valour-class corvette although its design and firepower make it more akin to a frigate. It is technically listed as a Guided-Missile Frigate/Corvette Warship. It is powered by two diesel engines and duel propellers giving the ship a top speed of 30 knots.
While well concealed, the Mendi is armed with a 76 mm deck gun at the forecastle for engagement of surface vessels, twin 35mm cannons aft, and two 20mm guns positioned to defend the superstructure from point attacks. She also has a pair of Exocet surface-to-surface missile launches at port and starboard and two decoy launchers designed to protect the ship from missile attack.
Mendi also has a rotary-wing aircraft hangar and flight deck located aft, designed for launching and recovery of helicopters and up to two Westland SuperLynx 300 helicopters.
The ship’s crew includes 152 officers, sailors, airmen and mechanics.