Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Delivers Second Frigate to Boost Egyptian Naval Power

On May 26th, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems delivered a frigate to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This marks the second vessel in a series of four MEKO® A-200 EN frigates. The ceremonial event in Bremerhaven, attended by prominent officials from both the Egyptian and German Navy, also featured the christening of the ship.

The Chief of Naval Operations of the Egyptian Navy, Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, named the vessel “AL-QAHHAR”, which translates to “The Unyielding Conqueror”.

“This initiative is regarded as a benchmark for numerous nations in the realm of collaborative military industrialization,” remarked Vice Admiral Atwa. “Today, with the handover of the ‘AL-QAHHAR’ frigate, our project has reached a pivotal point.”

“With today’s delivery ceremony, we emphasize yet another highlight in the outstanding bond between the Egyptian Navy and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems,” stated Paul Glaser, CFO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

“Our continuous collaboration on naval surface ships and submarines forms one of the fundamental pillars of our enduring partnership between our nations. The first ship of its kind, ‘AL-AZIZ’, is already operational and has shown its technical proficiency and dependability. Its sister ship, ‘AL-QAHHAR’, is expected to achieve the same success,” he added.

Among its class, the MEKO® A-200 EN stands as one of the most formidable warships currently operational. These next-generation vessels measure over 121 metres in length, 16 metres in breadth, and can reach speeds exceeding 29 knots. Featuring a covert design, these frigates are set to fulfill the role of the new central combat platform for the Egyptian Navy. Each unit will be outfitted with an extensive array of both defensive and offensive capabilities.

In total, the Arab Republic of Egypt has commissioned four structurally similar vessels, with the first three being fabricated in Germany, while the fourth is being constructed at Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt. The construction contract was finalized in September 2018, with work on “AL-QAHHAR” commencing in December 2019, keel laying in March 2020, and launching in August 2021. The frigate will embark on her journey to her homeport in Alexandria shortly. The next significant milestone in this endeavor will be the delivery of the third vessel in the series, “ALQADEER”, later this year.

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is among the globe’s premier naval firms with nearly 7,500 staff and operates as a systems provider for submarines, naval surface vessels, maritime electronics, and security technologies. Approximately 3,100 personnel are employed at the Kiel facility, making it the largest shipyard site in Germany. With 185 years of heritage and continuous pursuit of innovation, the enterprise consistently sets new benchmarks.