First MEKO A-200 frigate for Egypt commences sea trials
The Egyptian Navy is receiving six MEKO A-200 frigates similar to vessels provided to the South African Navy (pictured is SAS Amatola). (Photo: TKMS)
Sea trials are in progress in Germany of ENS Al-Aziz, the first of six MEKO A-200 vessels ordered by Egypt.
Sea trials are underway in Germany of the first MEKO A-200 frigate built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Blohm+Voss and HDW for the Egyptian Navy.
ENS Al-Aziz is armed with eight MM40 Block 3 Exocet and 32 VL MICA NG missiles plus a Vulcano 127mm main gun and four 20mm cannon, as well as MU90 lightweight and DM-2A4 (SeaHake Mod 4) heavyweight torpedoes.
Thales supplied its Scorpion 2 EW jamming system and NS-110 4D AESA radar.
In April 2019, the German government approved the sale of six MEKO A-200 vessels, providing guarantees of up to €2.3 billion (US$2.5 billion).
Each of these vessels is 121m long and displaces 3,700t with a top speed of 29kt.
The first three units are being built by TKMS in Germany with the rest constructed at Alexandria Shipyards in Egypt.
TKMS is also reportedly in talks with the Egyptian government to co-produce the MEKO A-300 frigate with a shipyard in the North African country.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![A closer look at the US Navy’ $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031]()
A closer look at the US Navy’ $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031
The recently released USN 2026 Shipbuilding Plan anticipates the procurement of 185 crewed and uncrewed platforms in the next five years.
-
![SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers]()
SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers
Turkey’s defence industry is pushing a class of platform and building an entire philosophy of cost-imposition around it.
-
![STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent]()
STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
-
![First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June]()
First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June
Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.
-
![Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system]()
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
