Egyptian Navy Takes Delivery of ENS Al-Galala (FFG-1002)

FREMM multipurpose frigate ENS Al-Galala (FFG-1002) purchased by Egypt was handed over by the Egyptian Navy at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy on December 23. Al-Galala was originally constructed as the Carlo Bergamini-class Spartaco Schergat (F 598 ) before being acquired by Egypt and being renamed. In 2020 it was reported that Italy would sell its last two FREMM-class frigates in the current production line (Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi) to Egypt. Spartaco Schergat was in the final stage of her sea trials while Emilio Bianchi would follow within one year. The deal reportedly also involved other military equipment and was worth 1.2 billion Euros. It was reported that Italy would then order two additional FREMM frigates to replace those transferred to Egypt with the anticipated delivery of the replacements by 2024.

On 26 January 2019, the launching ceremony of the ship took place at the Fincantieri plants in Riva Trigoso. Al-Ghalala is powered by combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system including one 32 MW gas turbine General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4, two 2.5 MW electric motors Jeumont Electric and four diesel generators. The ships have a full load displacement of about 6,500 tons, an overall length of about 144 meters and can reach a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) with a maximum cruising range of 6,800 nmi (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

The multipurpose frigate is armed with 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 and 30 anti-aircraft/anti-missile missile. one Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano naval gun, one Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales close-in weapon system (CIWS) gun, two Leonardo Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm remote weapon systems, eight MBDA Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship and land attack missiles, two triple Leonardo (WASS) B-515/3 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes and two SITEP MASS CS-424 acoustic guns.

The FREMM (“European multi-purpose frigate”; French: Frégate européenne multi-mission; Italian: Fregata europea multi-missione) is a class of multi-purpose frigates designed by Naval Group and Fincantieri for the navies of France and Italy. The lead ship of the class, Aquitaine, was commissioned in November 2012 by the French Navy. In France the class is known as the Aquitaine class, while in Italy they are known as the Bergamini class. Italy has ordered six general purpose variants and four anti-submarine variants. France has ordered six anti-submarine variants, and two air-defense variant. A total of 27 FREMM were to be constructed – 17 for France and 10 for Italy – with additional aims to seek exports, however budget cuts and changing requirements has seen this number drop significantly for France, while the order for Italy remained unchanged.