Egypt Receives First MEKO A-200 Frigate from Germany

The Egyptian Armed Forces received on Tuesday the MEKO A-200 frigate, the first of four MEKO A-200 frigates contracted by Egypt and Germany.

The frigate, named "Al-Aziz" by the Egyptian Navy, was built by German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

A ceremony was held in the German port city of Bremerhaven to celebrate the handover of the frigate to Egypt. The Commander of the Egyptian Navy Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa raised the Egyptian flag on the frigate.

During the handover ceremony, Atwa stressed the depth and strength of relations between Egypt and Germany.

He expressed thanks from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki to the German Navy and to TKMS.

Atwa stressed the Armed Forces' keenness on implementing a comprehensive strategy to develop and modernise the Egyptian naval fleet to enhance security and stability in areas of operation.

The MEKO A-200 frigate is 121 metres in length and can travel up to 6,800 nautical miles.

It has a displacement of 3,931 tons and its maximum speed is 28 knots

Egypt had acquired four submarines before also manufactured by Thysesenkrupp Marine Systems.