Naval Base Durban
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Naval Base Durban in Durban harbour is a naval base of the South African Navy, situated on Salisbury Island, which is now joined to the mainland through land reclamation.
Naval Base Durban | |
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Salisbury Island, Durban Harbour | |
Coordinates | 29°52′57.47570″S 31°2′22.43605″E |
Site information | |
Owner | Department of Defence |
Operator | South African Navy |
Site history | |
Built | WWII |
It was formerly a full naval base until it was downgraded to a naval station in 2002. With the reduction in naval activities much of the island was taken over by the Army as a general support base, but they left after a few years resulting in the abandoned section becoming derelict.[1] In 2012 a decision was made to renovate and expand the facilities back up to a full naval base to accommodate the South African Navy's offshore patrol flotilla.[2][3] In December 2015 it was officially redesignated Naval Base Durban.[4]
Three Warrior-class offshore patrol vessels; SAS Isaac Dyobha, SAS Galeshewe and SAS Makhanda are based in Durban. When the new offshore and inshore patrol vessels enter service they will replace the Warrior-class vessels.[4]