Namibian Navy

The Namibian Navy is the Navy of the Republic of Namibia and is part of the Namibian Defence Force.

History
Development of Namibia's navy has been slow, and the force was only formally established in 2004 (14 years after independence). Comprising approximately 500 personnel it deploys a small number of lightly armed patrol vessels. The first maritime wing commander was the late Captain Phestus Sacharia. The first ship to be commissioned into service was the donated patrol boat Oryx. Extensive Brazilian aid has assisted in the development of the Namibian Navy. Brazil and Namibia signed an agreement in 2004 for the delivery of a patrol boat and two smaller patrol craft. The newly built 200 ton patrol boat Brendan Simbwaye, built at the Brazilian shipyard INACE, was commissioned on January 19, 2009. An ongoing co-operation program allows Namibian sailors and naval officers to be trained by the Brazilian Navy; by 2009, 466 seamen had been trained. Brazil also provided assistance in preparing a nautical chart of the approach to Walvis Bay and consulting in charting the outer limits of the continental shelf off Namibia. The Brazilian navy has also trained marines for the Namibian navy.

Ensign
The Namibian Navy uses the national flag as its ensign.

Role
The Ministry of Defence has outlined the Naval policy as follows" In peacetime, the Navy of the NDF have a role of augmenting civil offshore patrol forces, particularly providing the means and the expertise to execute enforcement action effectively. Specific tasks include assisting civil forces to combat illegal immigration, smuggling (arms, drugs etc.) and threats to the environment; conducting maritime surveillance, search and rescue; and assisting the Ministry of Fisheries with enforcing a fisheries protection regime. A longer term peacetime task is the protection of offshore oil, gas, diamonds and other installations.A navy aerial surveillance component is a necessary part of the defence system"

Commissioned ships

 * 1 Logistics Support Vessel 2580 tons(2012)
 * Elephant (S11)


 * 1 Oryx Class Patrol Boat 406 tons(1975/1993/2002)
 * Oryx (P01)


 * 1 Grajau Class Patrol Boat 209 tons(2009)
 * Brendan Simbwaye (P11)


 * 2 Marlin Class Patrol Craft 45 tons
 * Terrace Bay (HPB20)
 * Möwe Bay (HPB21)


 * 2 Namacurra class harbour patrol boat

The flagship of the navy is the Grajau class Patrol Boat NS Brendan Simbwaye

Decommissioned ships

 * 1 Imperial Marinheiro class corvette1025 standard tons(1954)
 * Lt Gen Dimo Hamaambo (C11) - ex Brazilian Navy

Naval Base
The naval base is situated at Walvis Bay. The base was inaugurated in 2012 though its building was completed in 2004. It is officially known as the Naval Base Captain PN Sacharia. Captain PN Sacharia was the then Maritime Wing's first commander and was instrumental in its set up. The base has a 200 meter long jetty. The current base Commanding Officer is Captain Richard Kopano. The base also houses the navy HeadQuarters

Organisation
The navy is a hierarchical organisation with the navy commander exercising overall command. The navy has around 500 personnel, most of whom have been trained in Brazil and South Africa. The Navy is further augmented by the 200-man strong Namibian Marine Corps.

Navy Commander
The position of Navy commander is held by an individual with the rank of Rear Admiral. The navy Commander is responsible for the overall command of the navy.The current navy commander is Rear Admiral Peter Vilho.

Chief of Naval Operations
The chief of Naval Operations is R Adm(JG) S.N.B. Nghipandwa

Chief of Naval Support
The Chief of Naval Support (CNS) is responsible for naval support. The CNS is Captain A.P Amungulu.

Chief of Naval Staff
The chief of Naval Staff is Capt (N) Petrus N. Tjandja

Master at Arms
The Master at Arms of the navy is the senior most enlisted sailor in the navy.The Master at Arms is responsible for instilling discipline in the navy.The navy's first Master at Arms was Warrant Officer class 1 WO1 David Angolo. WO1 Angolo later became the Namibian Defence Force's Sergeant Major.

Marines
The Namibian Marine Corps is a branch of the Navy. It is a battalion strong. The marines are trained by Brazilian naval instructors at the Marine Corps Training center at the Rooikop Military Base near Walvis Bay.The marine commandant is Captain Appolos Haimbala.

Ranks and Insignia
Naval ranks are based on Royal Navy ranks. The same ranks are also used by the Namibian Marine Corps. The highest rank in peace time a commissioned officer can attain in the navy is Rear Admiral. There may however be an exception when a naval officer is appointed as Chief of the Defence Force for which the individual which ascend to the rank of Vice-Admiral.The highest rank an enlisted member can attain is Warrant Officer Class 1.

Flag Officer Ranks

 * Admiral
 * Vice-Admiral
 * Rear-Admiral
 * Commodore/Rear Admiral(JG)

Senior Officers

 * Captain
 * Commander
 * Lieutenant Commander

Junior Officers
An officer cadet is awarded the rank midshipman.
 * Lieutenant
 * Sub Lieutenant
 * Ensign

Warrant Officers

 * Warrant Officer Class 1
 * Warrant Officer Class 2

Senior Ratings

 * Chief Petty Officer
 * Petty Officer

Junior Ratings

 * Leading Seaman
 * Able Seaman
 * Seaman