South African Navy Receives Third Patrol Vessel from Damen Shipyards

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has delivered the third Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel (MMIPV), P1573, to the South African Navy at Naval Base Durban.

The delivery followed the formal handover in Simon’s Town in March 2025, where P1573 passed rigorous inspections. The project was a result of close teamwork between DSCT, the South African Navy, and ARMSCOR, aligning with the Department of Defence’s broader fleet modernization goals.

P1573 joins its sister ships, P1571 and P1572, in the Navy’s Durban-based patrol squadron. These vessels protect South Africa’s 2,700-kilometre coastline, a crucial route that handles over 90% of the country’s trade and guards the key Cape Sea Route.

The MMIPVs feature Damen’s Axe Bow design for improved seakeeping and are armed with 20mm Super Sea Rogue guns, equipped with FORT surveillance systems, and carry 9m and 7m interceptor boats for rapid missions. The ship can be used for border protection, search and rescue, diving operations and training.