Historic African Vessels

SAS President Steyn was a South African President-class frigate (Type 12) launched in 1961 and commissioned in 1963. She served mainly in training and SAS President Steyn was a South African President-class frigate (Type 12) launched in 1961 and commissioned in 1963. She served mainly in training and diplomatic missions, including in the Angolan Civil War in the mid-1970s. The frigate was decommissioned in 1980 and later sunk as a target in 1991. Learn more

SAS Jan van Riebeeck was a frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Launched in 1964, it served as a key naval asset during the apartheid SAS Jan van Riebeeck was a frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Launched in 1964, it served as a key naval asset during the apartheid era, patrolling South African waters and representing the country's maritime defense capabilities. Learn more

SAS Makhanda is a Valour-class frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Commissioned in 2004, it serves as a key surface combatant protec SAS Makhanda is a Valour-class frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Commissioned in 2004, it serves as a key surface combatant protecting South African maritime interests in the South Atlantic Ocean and surrounding waters. Learn more

SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-cla SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-class destroyer HMS Whelp, she served in the Pacific during World War II and was present at Japan’s surrender. In 1953 she was sold to South Africa and renamed SAS Simon van der Stel. Converted to an anti-submarine frigate in the early 1960s, she served as a training and helicopter-carrying ship, and was decommissioned in 1972 and scrapped in 1976. Learn more