In 1941, as a result of increased pressure on Table Bay, a new Allied harbour was sought.

Members of the South African Women's Auxiliary Naval Services, previously known as SWANS, operated the controls and detection equipment.

In 1948 the training establishment HMSAS Field Marshal Smuts moved from Saldanha to Salisbury island in Durban.

In May 1989 SAS Saldanha became a naval base with the added responsibility to still function as a unit.

This was maintained until 1990 when, due to rationalisation, it reverted to a pure training unit.