U.S. Nuclear Submarine’s South Africa Visit ‘Historic’

The American nuclear-powered attack submarine, USS San Juan, has arrived in Simon’s Town, South Africa’s main naval base, for an unprecedented series of joint manoeuvres with South Africa’s submarine force.

A US Navy report said the USS San Juan’s arrival would set the stage for “first-ever at-sea engagements” with the South African Navy (SAN’s) submarine force. The commanding officer of the U.S. nuclear submarine, Commander Oliver Lewis, described the visit as “historic” and said it was: “Another important step in our efforts to work together in addressing maritime issues.”

A senior South African Navy (SAN) spokesman, Commander Prince Tshabalala, said in an interview that two navies would carry out: “A number of manoeuvres, in which we will test our interoperability. For obvious reasons, we cannot give details of the manoeuvres, but we just want to see how compatible we are in operations with the U.S. Navy.”

The American vessel is an improved Los Angeles class “fast attack” submarine, similar to the type featured in the Tom ClancyTom Clancy techno-fiction book and film, The Hunt for Red October. The Type 688I (“Improved 688) has been strengthened and has had the horizontal diving planes removed from the conning tower, also called “the sail” for operations under and breaking through ice. The vessel’s homeport is Groton, Connecticut

The submarine collided in 1998 with a nuclear warhead-carrying submarine, USS Kentucky outside Long Island, New York, but both vessels were able to return to port.

The South African submarines, by contrast, are much smaller and have a diesel-electric “Main Propulsion Motor” (MTM), according to an official SAN publication. Commander Tshabalala added: “Our submarines are only modest size. We don’t own nuclear submarines. Ours are defensive submarines, which are highly effective though, due to the quality of the crews.”

The names of the three submarines, SAS 'Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadi I, are of women who displayed heroism in the country’s history. Like other new SAN ships, the names of the submarines are the result of a competition held within the navy.

Tshabalala added that the U.S. and other nations saw the SAN as a “respected partner,” a sentiment echoed by Commander Lewis, who said: “We appreciate the opportunity to work with a peer navy and submarine force, and believe both our navy and (South Africa's) will benefit from this exchange.”

There were no protests against the arrival of a nuclear-powered ship in South African waters. The SAN had received permission on behalf of the U.S. Navy for a so-called “Nuclear Vessel Licence” from the National Nuclear Regulator, allowing the US submarine to enter Simon’s Town between October 25 and November 15.

Tshabalala said: “In terms of our position, we follow the necessary regulations where it is prescribed that we advertise, in various newspapers to allow people to comment for a three-month period. Out take is we have followed the necessary regulations.”

The nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier, USS Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt, visited Cape Town in October last year, while the Russian battle cruiser Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great) visited Simon’s Town in January this year.

Two U.S. ships taking part in the Africa Partnership Station (APS) operation, the frigate USS Robert G. Bradley and the Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer, USS Arleigh Burke have also visited South Africa and operated with the SA Navy.