'DAPHNE' CLASS SUBMARINE AT NANTES.




Initials PBS/V/RN/JG



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Background: A FRENCH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN NANTES THAT SOUTH AFRICA HAS ORDERED THREE 'DAPHNE' CLASS HUNTER SUBMARINES FROM FRANCE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO FRANCE LAST WEEK BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE MINISTER, MR. PIETER BOTHA. HOWEVER, IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY MR. BOTHA DECLINED TO CONFIRM THE FRENCH REPORT THAT THE ORDER FOR THE VESSELS HAD ACTUALLY BEEN PLACED. MR. BOTHA SAID HE HAD SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT ENABLING SOUTH AFRICA TO BUY A NUMBER OF FRENCH SUBMARINES.

MR. BOTHA, IN HIS ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, SAID THAT AT PRESENT DETAILS, SUCH AS DELIVERY AND CREW TRAINING, WERE BEING DISCUSSED.

THE 'DAPHNE' CLASS SUBMARINES HAVE A SURFACE DISPLACEMENT OF 800 TONS, AND ARE CAPABLE OF SPEEDS OF SIXTEEN KNOTS WHILE SUBMERGED. THEY HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE WITH THE FRENCH NAVY SINCE 1964.

THE VESSELS CARRY A CREW OF 45, INCLUDING SIX OFFICERS. MOST OF THE SUBMARINES HAVE BEEN BUILT AT NANTES, BUT TWO MORE ARE NOW BEING AT BREST.

DURING HIS VISIT TO FRANCE, MR. BOTHA TOLD REPORTERS THAT SOUTH AFRICA REQUIRED SUBMARINES TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AROUND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE UNDER THE SIMONSTOWN AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN.