'Al-Qahhar' frigate: What does it add to the Egyptian Navy?

CAIRO - 13 June 2023: The Egyptian army announced on Sunday the arrival of the frigate "Al-Qahhar" of the (MEKO-A200) class to the Alexandria Naval Base, marking its integration into the Egyptian naval fleet.

The frigate "Al-Qahharr" is the second of four frigates contracted between Egypt and Germany in 2018. It was built by the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in December 2019, according to the latest global standards in armament systems and combat efficiency.

The Importance of the Frigate "Al-Qahhar":

• According to the Egyptian army statement, the frigate "Al-Qahhar" possesses numerous technological features and modern armament systems that enable it to carry out all combat missions.

• It is a significant technological addition to the capabilities of the navy, which enhances the ability to confront the challenges and risks surrounding the region, preserving Egypt's capabilities and achieving full control over the coasts of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

• Admiral Ashraf Atta, the commander of the Egyptian Navy, emphasized the General Command of the Armed Forces' commitment to implementing a comprehensive strategy to develop and modernize the Egyptian naval fleet, along with the latest training and simulation systems to train future generations of crews. He stressed that the new frigate will enhance the deterrent power of the Egyptian Navy as a force for maritime security and stability in the region.

Moreover, military experts stated that the "MEKO-A200" frigate possesses special specifications that qualify it to carry out combat missions at sea at all levels, confront potential threats, secure Egyptian natural resources in the sea, and combat smuggling and illegal immigration. Ultimately, this means protecting Egyptian national security.

Key features of the new multi-mission frigate:

• It has a sailing range of 6,800 nautical miles.

• Its maximum speed reaches 28 knots, and its total length is 121.6 meters.

• The displacement is 3,931 tons.

• Its range is 13,000 kilometers, and it can spend up to 28 days at sea before returning for refueling and supplies.

• The frigate is equipped with a Swedish-made main radar of the "Sea Giraffe" model, capable of tracking over 200 aerial targets and 400 surface targets simultaneously.

Major General Nasr Salem, former head of the reconnaissance agency and advisor at the Nasser Military Academy, confirmed that the new frigate as an "addition to the combat capabilities of the armed forces in general, enhancing the comprehensive capabilities of the army and increasing the efficiency of the navy."

Salem pointed out that the addition of the new frigate sends a "deterrence message" to the enemies of the Egyptian state and reassures all Egyptians and Arabs of possessing the capabilities to protect Egyptian and Arab national security.  In addition, retired Navy Brigadier General Hussein el-Harmili, a military and strategic expert, highlighted the prominent features of the new frigate joining the Egyptian Navy in several points, stating the following:

It represents a strong addition to the Egyptian Navy, which has been comprehensively developed in recent years, thanks to political and military support.

It is characterized by the latest technological stability, and is unaffected by different sea conditions. It can stay at sea for medium and long periods, defend against and destroy various targets, whether aerial, naval, ground, or submarines.

It excels in high-tech systems, especially in working with helicopters, contributing to the security of internal, economic, and regional waters, as well as the Suez Canal, which is a vital artery for global trade.

It possesses unique defense capabilities and immense destructive power, with the ability to engage with targets on land at various distances.