Egyptian army receives first frigate from Germany

The Egyptian Navy’s newly delivered MEKO A-200 frigate Al-Aziz. (© thyssenkrupp AG)

The handover of the new vessel took place at a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany on Oct. 14. (Supplied)

• 3 other MEKO A-200 vessels being manufactured
• Ships for aid efforts and to counter smugglers and threats

CAIRO: The Egyptian armed forces have received their first MEKO A-200 frigate, built by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems or TKMS.
The handover of the new vessel took place at a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany on Oct. 14.
The Egyptian Navy named the new frigate Al-Aziz.
The Egyptian Navy’s chief of staff, Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, hoisted the nation’s flag on Al-Aziz, and said: “Germany always supports Egypt with the up-to-date technology needed to enhance our naval capabilities. We have a longstanding and successful history of cooperation.
“Our cooperation was not limited to only building new ships but was also extended to cover advanced training for our crews to absorb the new advanced technology.”
Atwa said Egypt has a longstanding relationship with Germany, with agreement on several issues.
Al-Aziz is now set to start its voyage to its home port in Alexandria.
Egypt has ordered a total of four MEKO A-200 vessels as part of a contract signed in September 2018.
The frigate can sail for a distance of 6,800 nautical miles, at a maximum speed of 28 knots. Its total length is 121.6 meters and it has a displacement of 3,931 tons.
The frigate’s modern armament system enables it to carry out a wide range of combat activities at sea and in the air, and will also be used to counter smugglers and those trying to enter the country illegally.
The frigate can further be deployed to help with humanitarian support operations in disaster-stricken areas.
Among those who attended the ceremony were several Egyptian and German naval leaders, the Egyptian military attache in Germany, and representatives from the TKMS.
TMS CEO Oliver Burkhard said: “This record timeline was possible only because the Egyptian Navy and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have such a long and trustful partnership.
“The strategic program is based on an open and collaborative dialogue with our customers and we are thankful for their tireless efforts in contributing to the success of this project.”
Egypt’s Defense Ministry said in a statement: “The Al-Aziz frigate is one of four MEKO A-200 frigates contracted between Egypt and Germany. The specialized and technical crews working on the new unit were prepared in record time according to a simultaneous program that was implemented in two phases in Egypt and Germany.”
According to the TKMS, the work on manufacturing the ships began in August 2019.