Navy to remain vigilant to protect Egypt's borders

CAIRO - 6 May 2020: During the celebration of the arrival of the German S-43 submarine to the base of Alexandria, Commander of the Naval Forces Ahmed Khaled affirmed that the navy will always keep the covenant to protect Egypt's borders, coasts and economic interests.

Khaled thanked the political leadership and the general command of the Armed Forces for the efforts exerted to modernize the armament of the Egyptian Armed Forces and naval arsenal.

The German S-43 submarine joined the Egyptian Navy in Alexandria on May 6;it is considered one of the most recent submarines around the world.

The reception ceremony was attended by several leaders of the Armed Forces, Navy veterans and former submarine brigade commanders, in addition to alarge number of the citizens of Alexandria.

"The S43 will be part of several joint drills with the naval forces of allied states on its way to Egypt," the spokesperson stated. He stressedthat the S43 is an addition to the capabilities of the Egyptian Navy given its technological and combat features, and that it comes as part of an ambitious plan to upgrade the Egyptian Armed Forces' defense systems.

In 2011, Egypt signed a contract with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to purchase four class 209/1400mod submarines. The first, S41, was delivered in December 2016. The second, S42, was handed over in August 2017, while the third was launched in May 2019. The contract will be concluded in 2021 with the delivery of the fourth vessel.

The submarine has a length of 62 meters and a diameter of 6.2 meters, and is operated by 30 crew members. Its displacement on surface and submerged is approximately 1,450 tons and 1,600 tons, respectively.