South African Navy Showcases Strength in Simon’s Town During Exercise Red Lion With Frigates, Patrol Vessels and Joint Drills

South Africa’s naval stronghold of Simon’s Town is once again proving its status as the nation’s maritime “capital” as the South African Navy (SAN) conducts its high-profile force preparation drill, Exercise Red Lion, running until Friday, 22 August. The multi-week exercise, which began on 4 August, has engaged naval bases, stations, and facilities across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, with False Bay and Simon’s Town naval base taking center stage.

The intensive exercise has included a wide range of naval and joint drills both at sea and on land. Residents witnessed the Navy in action with scenarios such as key point protection, firefighting, disaster management, rescues, gunnery training, boarding procedures, and weapon orientation. The SAN deployed three major platforms for the operation: the Valour Class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) and the inshore patrol vessels SAS Adam Kok III (P1573) and SAS King Shaka Zulu (P1572).

While at sea, these vessels conducted multiple evolutions, including simulated attacks, flying stations, and towing operations. A highlight came on Friday when the SAN engaged in a PASSEX (passage exercise) with the French offshore patrol vessel FS Auguste Techer (P781), adding an international dimension to the exercise.

Onshore, SAN teams collaborated closely with the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Together, they tested coordinated responses to bomb threats, IED scenarios, emergency evacuations, roadblocks, crowd control, drone operations, coastal patrols, and bushfire management. According to SAN reports, this interaction strengthened inter-agency cooperation, ensuring smoother joint responses in real-life emergencies.

With 18 days and nights of rigorous training concluding this week, Exercise Red Lion has reinforced both the Navy’s operational readiness and its ability to integrate with civil authorities, underscoring Simon’s Town’s pivotal role in South Africa’s naval defense strategy.