Editing Valour-class frigate (section)

== Operational deployment ==
[[File:US Navy 070903-N-5459S-046 he ships that make up Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 transit in formation while participating in Exercise Amazolo with the South African navy.jpg|thumb|right|The Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 in formation with South African navy warships {{SAS|Amatola|F145|6}}, {{SAS|Isandlwana|F146|6}} and the submarine {{SAS|Manthatisi|S101|6}} while participating in Exercise Amazolo]]Since the Valour class were commissioned in 2006/2007, the four frigates have been the South African Navy's most capable and important surface assets. Although the likelihood of a naval engagement with another state actor in the Southern African region is highly unlikely in South African planning, the frigate force maintains a credible military deterrent and protects national interests. The main operational duties of the Valour class have been engaging in anti-smuggling operations, fishery protection, participating in African Union peacekeeping missions and tackling regional piracy with international partners.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Baker|first=Deane-Peter|title=The South African Navy and African Maritime Security |date=2012|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26397290|journal=Naval War College Review|volume=65|issue=2|pages=145–166|jstor=26397290 |issn=0028-1484}}</ref> The class have also been heavily utilised in international training exercises and visits with other naval forces, particularly the [[United States Navy]], the [[German Navy]], the [[French Navy]] and the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{Cite news|title='Exercise IBSAMAR' between India, South Africa, Brazil begins tomorrow|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/exercise-ibsamar-between-india-south-africa-brazil-begins-tomorrow/articleshow/51046402.cms|access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref>

In 2010, the four frigates were deployed to provide air and sea security for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]] that was being hosted by South Africa. Three frigates, at any one time, acted as guardships off the cities of [[Cape Town]], [[Port Elizabeth]] and [[Durban]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-03-10|title=Navy ready to defend World Cup|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence/sa-defence-sa-defence/navy-ready-to-defend-world-cup/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=defenceWeb|language=en-ZA}}</ref>

Since 2011 the deployment to the [[Mozambique Channel]] to tackle piracy under Operation Copper has been one of the major and long-standing focuses of the frigate force. After increased piracy for a number of years, fellow [[Southern African Development Community|South African Development Community]] members requested help in policing the crucial import and export sea lane. Since the beginning of operations, every frigate has been deployed on rotation and maritime piracy has fallen substantially, with marines regularly being embarked in order to board suspect vessels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Ramaphosa authorises extension of SA's continental military deployments|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/ramaphosa-authorises-extension-of-sas-continental-military-deployments/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=defenceWeb|language=en-ZA}}</ref>