Damen delivers final MMIPV to South African Navy

Damen Shipyards Cape Town handed over Adam Kok III (P 1573), the third MMIPV ordered under Project Biro, at Naval Base Durban on 25 April. (Damen)

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has delivered the third and final King Sekhukhane I-class multimission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV) on order for the South African Navy under Project Biro.

Adam Kok III (P 1573) was formally handed over and named during a ceremony held on 25 April at Naval Base Durban, which will be the home base for the patrol squadron, Damen confirmed on 5 May.

The latest milestone represents the culmination of a strategic initiative by the South African Navy to enhance South Africa's maritime security while also advancing local shipbuilding capabilities and driving industrial development, Damen said. The project was driven by close collaboration between DSCT, the South African Navy, and the South African Department of Defence's (DoD's) acquisition agency Armscor, aligning with the DoD's broader strategy to modernise and expand fleet capabilities.

Laid down in October 2021 and launched in March 2024, Adam Kok III is the final unit in a series of three ordered from DSCT under a contract awarded by Armscor in February 2018 for Project Biro. Adam Kok III's delivery followed a formal handover by DSCT to the Simon's Town naval base in March 2025, where the ship completed its final technical and quality inspections.

First-of-class SAS King Sekhukhune I (P 1571) was laid down in 2019, launched in 2021, and commissioned in June 2022. It was followed by second ship SAS King Shaka Zulu (P 1572), which was laid down in 2020, launched in 2022, and commissioned on 24 April 2025.