France supplies two new combat submarines to South Africa

France confirmed the sale of two new combat submarines to South Africa  to protect the oil route round the Cape in the face of escalating Soviet naval activity in the Indian Ocean.  At the time, the Soviet Union was supporting Anti-Apartheid movements like the African National Congress (ANC). This led to tensions between the two countries.    Mikail Gorbachev also reiterated Soviet support for the overthrow of the apartheid government of South Africa. He pledged to continue Soviet support for political formations and states opposing South Africa. States supported by the Soviet Union  included  Angola, Mozambique, and Zambia.