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.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Second Brazilian Riachuelo-class submarine conducts pre-service testing]()
Second Brazilian Riachuelo-class submarine conducts pre-service testing
The second of four PROSUB conventional attack submarines has completed diving trials ahead of service entry with the Brazilian Navy later this year.
-
![Argentina turns to local industry in naval modernisation push]()
Argentina turns to local industry in naval modernisation push
Local companies will build a new landing ship and floating dock, modernise in-service corvettes and develop a naval surveillance radar.
-
![The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts]()
The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts
In early March, the Biden administration submitted a proposal to Congress that would see the US DoD funded to the tune of $842 billion, around a quarter of which will go to the US Navy.
