thyssenkrupp Marine Systems handed over the first-of-class MEKO® A-200 EN to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. A total of four ships were ordered, with the first three units produced in Germany and the fourth vessel built by Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt. At today’s ceremony in Bremerhaven, the frigate “AL-AZIZ” was accepted by the Egyptian Navy after only 38 months of the contract becoming effective. Besides the handover ceremony, the celebrations included the naming of a second MEKO® A-200 EN frigate for the Egyptian Navy. The Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Navy, Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, named the warship ”AL-QADEER”.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: “This record timeline was possible only because the Egyptian Navy and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have such a long and trustful partnership. The strategic programme is based on an open and collaborative dialogue with our customer and we are thankful for their tireless efforts in contributing to the success of this project.”
Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa: “I am grateful to the friendly Republic of Germany for the constructive relationship which sets the example to be followed by others. Germany always supports Egypt with the up-to-date technology needed to enhance our naval capabilities.”
After short but intensive negotiations that started in May 2018, the contract for the four frigates was signed in September 2018, with the project work formally starting in August 2019. First steel cutting was already in September 2019 and the launching of the first-of-class took place in April 2021. In July 2021 “AL-AZIZ” was named, and then finally today she was handed over. In its class, the MEKO® A-200 EN is one of the most powerful warships in service today. The four ships ordered by the Arab Republic of Egypt are identical in construction. “AL-AZIZ” will start her journey to her homeport in Alexandria in a few days.
The MEKO 200 is a frigate design by the Blohm + Voss shipyard of Germany, as part of the MEKO family of warships. The MEKO family of warships was developed by the German company Blohm+Voss. MEKO is a registered trademark. The portmanteau stands for “Mehrzweck-Kombination” (English: multi-purpose-combination). It is a concept in modern naval shipbuilding based on modularity of armament, electronics and other equipment, aiming at ease of maintenance and cost reduction. MEKO ships include families of frigates, corvettes and ocean-going patrol boats. Vessels of similar classes use different weapons systems.
