Valour-class frigate
The Valour class is a class of frigates built for the South African Navy. Part of the MEKO family of warships, the German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss officially designate the class as the MEKO A-200SAN. Designed as a multiple purpose, multi capable frigate, the Valour class encompasses the general guided-missile anti-surface and anti-air role forming the core of the South African surface fleet. The Valour class frigates employ the use of stealth technology to avoid enemy radar and infra-red detection. Four Valour class frigates were constructed for the South African Navy as part of the Strategic Defence Package 1999. The first, SAS Amatola, was commissioned in 2006, with the fourth and final, SAS Mendi, commissioned in March 2007. The frigates have a service life of 30–40 years. However, in May 2023, Rear Admiral B.K. Mhlana, Deputy Chief of the Navy, reported to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence that Mendi was the only frigate of her class still effectively operational, given cancellations and delays in refits for her sister ships. The Valour class are named after incidents of conspicuous bravery throughout South African military history. Development The concept for the Valour class (Project Sitron) was first conceived in the late 1990s as