South Africa has signed the formal contract to buy three Type-209/1400 diesel submarines from Germany. The submarines will be delivered in July of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Simulators and support equipment will be delivered by 2003 to start crew training. The Type-209 displaces 1,594 tons, has a crew of 30, can dive to 200m, and can make 20 knots submerged for brief periods. The sub has an endurance at sea of 45 days and a range of more than 10,000km. It has eight torpedo tubes and carries a total of 14 torpedoes or weapons of a similar size. Sensors include an Atlas CSU-90 sonar, an optronic mast that does not penetrate the pressure hull, and an optical attack periscope that does.--Stephen V Cole