ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems handed over the third in a series of four MEKO A-200 EN frigates to the Egyptian Navy at a ceremony held in Bremerhaven on 15 December.
Production work on the frigate named AL-QADEER began with the first steel cutting in autumn 2020, followed by keel laying in March 2021, launching in April 2022, and naming in October 2022.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking representatives from the Egyptian and German Navy. Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, emphasized the timely delivery of “AL-QADEER,” completed six months after the handover of the second frigate, “AL-QAHHAR.” He also noted the official conclusion of ship construction in Germany, with the fourth frigate Al-Jabbar set to be completed at Alexandria Shipyard in collaboration with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems highlighted: “Just six months after the handover of the second frigate, ‘AL-QAHHAR’, another state-of-the-art ship was successfully delivered to the Egyptian Navy today. The handover marks the official completion of construction of the ships in Germany, all in record time. The fourth frigate will be completed at Alexandria Shipyard in close cooperation with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.”
Construction milestones for “AL-QADEER” included steel cutting in autumn 2020, keel laying in March 2021, launching in April 2022, and naming in October 2022. The frigate is scheduled to sail to Alexandria, Egypt, in the coming days.
Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy, highlighted the expeditious receipt of the three MEKO A-200 frigates, “AL-AZIZ,” “AL-QAHHAR,” and “AL-QADEER,” within a span of 14 months.
At the Egyptian Defense Exhibition EDEX 2023 in Cairo, the launch of the fourth frigate, “AL-JABBAR,” was announced. The vessel is currently under construction at Alexandria Shipyard and is expected to be delivered in October 2025.
The collaboration between the Arab Republic of Egypt and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems began in 2018 when Egypt commissioned the construction of four identical ships. Germany approved the sales in April one year later. The first three units were produced in Germany and the fourth vessel was built by Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt, with the involvement of more than 1,000 Egyptian engineers and technicians.
Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy said: “Within only 14 months, the Egyptian Navy received the three MEKO A-200 Frigates AL-AZIZ, AL-QAHHAR and AL-QADEER. These repeated visits for the handovers are the actual proof of the extent of cooperation and friendship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Federal Republic of Germany. As much the Egyptian Navy is proud to acquire the MEKO A-200 frigates, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems must also be proud for building them.”
The Meko A200 is a multi-mission frigate with stealth features and advanced combat systems. It is 121 metres long and displaces 3 700 tons, with a top speed of 29 knots. It is armed with eight MM40 Block 3 Exocet and 32 VL MICA NG missiles, a Vulcano 127 mm main gun, four 20 mm cannon, and MU90 lightweight and DM-2A4 (SeaHake Mod 4) heavyweight torpedoes. It is also equipped with Thales Scorpion 2 electronic warfare system, NS-110 4D active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, ALTSSE-H Communication Electronic Support Measures/Communications Intelligence system, and Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical system.
The first-of-class ship Al-Aziz (908) was handed over to the Egyptian Navy in October 2022 and is already in service, while the second ship Al-Qahhar (909), meaning “The Subduer”, was handed over in May 2023. The third ship Al Qadeer (909), meaning “The Powerful”, was launched in April 2022 and is expected to be delivered soon. The fourth and final ship Al-Jabbar is scheduled to undergo sea trials and join the fleet by the end of 2024.
The Meko A200 frigates will enhance the Egyptian Navy’s capabilities and presence in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, as well as support its role in securing the Suez Canal and protecting its maritime interests. The frigates will also contribute to the regional stability and security, as Egypt is a key partner of several countries in the Middle East and Africa.
