South Africa Expands Silent Force

South Africa has taken ownership of its third and final Type 209/T.1400 class submarine built by Germany. These are very good submarines.

The SAS Queen Modjadji was handed to the SA Navy crew after it successfully underwent sea trials off the German coast, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems said in statement.

The vessel is expected to leave for South Africa on April 2 and is due to arrive on May 22.

There the submarine will be united with her two sister ships, the SAS Manthatisi and SAS Charlotte Maxeke, that have already been taken into service by the SA Navy.

It is worth noting that in the Southern Hemisphere there is a submarine expansion taking place. If you turn the globe upside down, you will note Brazil, Australia, India, and South Africa are all either buying or have just completed purchasing new submarines. It is also worth noting that South Africa is in a pretty important strategic location, and these submarines represent the most influential military capabilities for maritime influence by any African nation in regards to global maritime trade.

Some countries are simply more important to the global economy than others due geographic influence on maritime trade, and South Africa qualifies. Panama and Egypt are other examples. Iran leverages its geographic position in relation to the Straits of Hormuz in blackmail of the vital regional maritime trade to leverage that nations nuclear ambitions. Maritime trade represents the lifeblood of the global economy. That is offered as perspective regarding the strategic influence the three South African submarines represent.

Previous observations of South African submarines here, here, and here.