On April 9, 2020, “S43” as the third of four HDW Class 209/1400mod submarines was officially handed over by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Following the very strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, the handover took place in Kiel without a ceremony, amongst only the inner circle of project managers.
The submarines of the HDW Class 209/1400 mod series are extremely reliable, can stay submerged for a long time, are fast, and are hard to locate thanks to their low signatures. The HDW Class 209/1400mod is the latest version of the HDW Type 209 “family” with over 60 boats built or under contract. The launch and naming of “S43” took place in May 2019.
The contract for the delivery of the first two 209/1400mod class submarines to the Arab Republic of Egypt was signed in 2011. In 2015, Egypt decided to take the option for two additional units of the most recent version of the class 209 “family”. The first submarine, named “S41”, was handed over in December 2016 and the second submarine, named “S42”, in August 2017. The program is planned to end with the handover of the fourth ship in 2021.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TkMS) is one of the world’s leading naval companies with around 6,000 employees and is active as a systems supplier in naval surface / submarine construction and in maritime electronics / safety technology. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems offers its customers worldwide tailored solutions for highly complex challenges in a changing world. Key to this are the company’s employees, who shape the future of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with passion and commitment every day.