The South African Navy Festival, held in Simons Town from 4 to 6 October, welcomes an impressive international maritime presence as Russian and Chinese warships participate in the event. Their arrival in Cape Town signals both a strategic alliance and a display of naval prowess.
Russian Navy’s Arrival
On Thursday, 3 October, the Russian Navy’s frigate Neustrashimy, accompanied by the replenishment vessel Akademik Pashin, docked in Cape Town. The vessels had previously been spotted south of Sharm el Sheikh on 4 September and departed the Red Sea two days later. Their final destination remained undisclosed until their arrival in South Africa. Notably, only the Akademik Pashin had her AIS transponder active upon arrival.
Chinese Navy’s Participation
Joining the festivities, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sent the frigate CNS Xuchang to Simons Town. CNS Xuchang, escorted by Tug Imbuvu, made her entrance on Tuesday. This Type 054A Frigate has been actively safeguarding maritime routes, as part of the 46th Naval Escort Task Force in the Gulf of Oman earlier this year.
In May, the same vessel arrived in Cape Town quietly, with little fanfare. The 46th Task Force, comprising CNS Xuchang, Type 052D destroyer CNS Jiaozuo, and the Type 903A Fleet Auxiliary CNS Honghu, set sail from Zhanjiang in February to relieve their predecessors in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.
Naval Specifications
The advanced capabilities of CNS Xuchang make it a formidable participant in the SA Navy Festival.
CNS Xuchang, measuring 134 meters in length and displacing 4,053 tons, boasts a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion system with four Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC main engines. These engines generate a combined output of 30,400 bhp, enabling the frigate to achieve a maximum service speed of 27 knots.
Armament and Technology
Her main armament consists of a PJ26 76 mm Dual Purpose Gun, complemented by two Type 730, seven-barreled, 30mm CIWS. For anti-submarine warfare, she is equipped with two triple-tube launchers for the 324 mm Yu-7 torpedo and two Type 87, six-barreled, 240 mm YU-8 ASROC launchers. Missile capabilities include a 32-cell VLS for HQ-16 SAMs and two 4-cell box launchers for C-803 SSMs. Additionally, she is fitted with two 18-tube Type 726 decoy launchers.
CNS Xuchang’s sonar suite includes the MGK-335 bow-mounted passive/active sonar and an H/5JG-206 towed sonar array. Her radar systems feature the Type 382 air defense radar, Type 344 SSM fire control radar, four Type 345 SAM fire control radars, Type 347G gun fire control radar, Type MR-36A search radar, and two RACAL RM-1290 navigation radars. The vessel’s helicopter deck and hangar can accommodate either a Russian Kamov KA-28 ‘Helix’ ASW helicopter or a Harbin Z-9C helicopter, which is a Chinese variant of the Eurocopter AS565 ‘Panther.’
The Russian Neustrashimy and Akademik Pashin
Neustrashimy, launched in May 1988 and commissioned in January 1993, leads the Project 11540 Yastreb (Hawk) class. Modernized recently, Neustrashimy features enhanced navigation, surveillance, and weapon systems. The frigate is 129 meters long, displacing 3,505 tons standard and 4,318 tons at full load, with a top speed of 30 knots powered by a combined gas turbine and gas turbine (COGAG) system.
Her armament includes a 100 mm main gun, two Kashtan CIWS, four Kinzhal SAM launchers, 533 mm torpedo tubes, and a Smerch-2 ASW rocket launcher. The vessel can also operate helicopters on her aft helipad.
The replenishment oiler Akademik Pashin, launched in May 2016, is the first of her class commissioned post-Cold War. The vessel, assigned to the Northern Fleet, is 130 meters long and can carry a full load displacement of 14,000 tons. Powered by two diesel engines, Akademik Pashin has a range of 8,000 nautical miles at a top speed of 16 knots.
International Naval Diplomacy
The arrival of the Neustrashimy and Akademik Pashin in South Africa marks the continuation of recent Russian naval activity in the region. Earlier, the Baltic Fleet’s training vessel Smolny made an unofficial visit to Cape Town, highlighting Russia’s ongoing maritime operations and naval cadet training programs.
The participation of both Russian and Chinese vessels in the SA Navy Festival not only strengthens international naval ties but also showcases each navy’s technological advancements and strategic capabilities. This naval festival becomes a stage for these global powers to project their maritime strengths and foster cooperative relationships.
Meanwhile, the South African Navy (SAN) had ambitious plans for a historic voyage to Russia, but those dreams have been dashed due to a critical issue: lack of maintenance. The cancellation of this voyage not only deals a blow to the country’s prestige but also serves as a stark reminder of the dire state of the SAN’s fleet.
The SAN selected the frigate SAS Amatola (F145) as the flag bearer for an extended voyage that would include participating in the Russian Navy anniversary parade in St. Petersburg. This Baltic Sea city, home to the Russian Navy Baltic fleet, was to witness a momentous occasion—the first visit of a South African Navy ship to Russia.
The plan was for SAS Amatola to circumnavigate the African continent, covering approximately 19,000 nautical miles. The frigate would sail along the east coast of Africa, through the Suez Canal, and stop at Alexandria in Egypt. From there, it would proceed through the Mediterranean Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar, the English Channel, and the North Sea before entering the Baltic Sea.
Unfortunately, none of these historic trips took place. The SAN faces a critical challenge: maintaining its fleet.