In a move set to boost the security of its economic interests and waterways, Egypt celebrated the accession of the 209/1400 mod class submarine, S-44, from Germany, to its naval forces.
This is the fourth submarine Egypt acquires from Germany in the last four years.
The submarine arrived at the Alexandria naval base from Germany’s Port of Kiel, an Egyptian military statement said, adding that Egyptians crewed the vessel on its way to Alexandria.
The move is part of efforts to enhance the navy’s capabilities and protect Egypt’s economic resources in the Mediterranean and Red Seas and the Suez Canal, the statement added.
Since 2016, Egypt has received three similar submarines from Germany – reflecting the level of cooperation between the two countries, it continued.
The first was delivered in December 2016, the second in August 2017 and the third in May 2019.
In a speech marking the arrival of the submarine, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Khaled, Commander of the Naval Forces, stressed the navy’s keenness to possess the latest naval armament systems and its commitment to protecting Egypt’s coasts and economic interests.
Khaled moved on to thank the political leadership and the general command of the armed forces for the efforts made to modernize the armament of the Egyptian armed forces and navy.
The ceremony was attended by commanders of the armed forces, veteran commanders of the navy, the German ambassador in Cairo, the German military attache in Cairo, students of the Naval College and the College of Air Defense, Alexandria University students and a large crowd of Alexandrians.
The event also included a massive naval parade alongside Alexandria’s coast, which included more than 50 different naval units, including submarines and frigates.
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