SAS Makhanda on anti-piracy duty

OPV heads to Mozambique Channel duties.

Revamped strike craft ready for counter-piracy duty

The third Warrior Class strike craft to be refitted as an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) – SAS Makhanda – is en route to the Mozambique Channel for Operation Copper counter-piracy duties.

Prior to becoming an OPV, her condition had deteriorated to such an extent she could not make own passage from Simon’s town to SA Shipyards in Durban and was towed to the east coast port for repair and refurbishment work.

The former SAS Magnus Malan completed harbour and sea acceptance trials in Durban before setting course for her home port last month. She was first spotted in the Simon’s town area on June 29 and was seen in the bay less than a week later sporting her 76 mm forward gun.

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Source: defenceweb.co.za