The South African Navy recently took delivery of its third Warrior-class inshore patrol vessel.
Like earlier sisters SAS Sekhukhune and SAS King Shaka Zulu II, SAS Adam Kok III was designed to provide the navy with a rapid response capability for primary missions such as anti-illegal trafficking, anti-illegal fishing, counter-piracy, and mine countermeasures.
Secondary missions will include dive support, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and crew training.
The vessel has a steel hull, a steel and aluminium superstructure, a length of 62.2 metres, a beam of 11.5 metres, a draught of four metres, and space for 60 crewmembers.
A propulsion system that includes four engines driving fixed-pitch propellers delivers a maximum speed of 30 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots, and a range of 4,000 nautical miles. Two 120kW bow thrusters are also fitted.
The armament consists of a 20mm autocannon mounted on a remote weapons station.
The ship honours Adam Kok III, a South African political leader who lived during the 19th century.