The facility will be used to train submariners for submarine escape procedures. About 120 sailors have to undergo this training each year according to the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla who opened the new facility at the West Dockyard.
The simulator is the only facility for submariner training in Africa.
Defence Web quotes Makwetla as saying that underwater operating environment is notoriously challenging with little margin for error and the training in the simulator provides the best method of mimicking the operating environments in difficult sea conditions.
SETS is part of Project Wills, under which three Type 209 submarines were purchased from Germany as part of South Africa's multibillion Rand arms deal.
Prior to the commissioning of the new facility, submariners had to be sent to Germany for training.
Read the full article on www.defenceweb.co.za.
