Egypt received, on Monday, German-made S-44 submarine, according to the Egyptian Armed Forces spokesperson Gharib Abdel Hafez.
The submarine arrived at the Alexandria naval base from Germany’s Port of Kiel, Daily News Egypt reported.
The latest addition to the Egyptian naval forces represents a huge reinforcement for the capabilities of the Egyptian army, which will contribute to the protection of the country’s economic resources in the Mediterranean and Red seas, as well as the Suez Canal, Abdel Hafez said in a statement. It will also enhance security, stability, and peace in the region.
Egypt has received three submarines of the same type between 2017 and 2021.
The S-44 submarines represent an unprecedented leap for the Egyptian Navy and contribute to raising its global ranking, the statement added.
Commander of the Egyptian Naval Forces, Ahmed Khaled, said in a speech that the Navy continues its quest to possess the latest naval armament systems to maintain the security of the Egyptian coasts and protect the country’s economic interests.
During a celebration, Khaled expressed his thanks to the political leadership for the ongoing efforts to modernize the armament of the Armed Forces.
The diesel-electric submarine can carry a 30-member crew. It is well-equipped for maritime defense operations. The 62-metre-long submarine is also capable of conducting surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities.
Alexandria witnessed a naval parade by the Navy that included more than 50 different naval vessels, in celebration of the arrival of the S-44 submarine.
“This latest addition to Egyptian naval forces represents a huge reinforcement for the capabilities of the Egyptian army, which will contribute to the protection of the country’s economic resources in the Mediterranean and Red seas, as well as the Suez Canal,” Hafez added.
The four diesel-electric submarines received between December 2016 and August 2021 are the result of a 2011 contract between the Egyptian Navy and German company ThyssenKrupp for two subs, and an additional two added in 2015.
Egypt procured the four submarines for €1.4 billion (U.S. $1.7 billion), as the contract for the first two was worth about €900 million, while the second contract is estimated to exceed €500 million, according to German news agency Deutsche-Presse Agentur.
Egypt received the first submarine S41 in December 2016, the second S42 in August 2017, and the third in April 2020.
Other than the S-44 boats, Cairo has only four outdated Chinese Type 033 Romeo-class submarines.
