The Egyptian Navy has officially received the last of four Howaldtswerke-Deutche Werft (HDW) 209/1400mod-class submarines from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
The diesel-electric submarine is named ‘S44’ and the handover event took place at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel.
In 2011, Egypt signed the contract for the delivery of the first two 209/1400mod-class submarines and decided to exercise the option for two additional submarines in 2015.
In December 2016, the Egyptian Navy officially received the first HDW 209/1400mod class submarine ‘S41’.
The second boat was delivered in August 2017 and the third was handed over in April last year.
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems CEO Rolf Wirtz said: “I would like to thank everyone involved for the open dialogue and the trusting cooperation.
“The success would not have been possible without the professionalism and competence of our employees, customers and suppliers.
“The handover of the fourth and last HDW Class 209/1400mod submarine in the project means that our Egyptian colleagues will return home. We wish them all the best for the future and hope to welcome them back at our shipyard for further projects soon.”
The 209/1400mod-class submarine features advanced technologies, high combat strength, enhanced battery payload and low signatures.
It can be deployed to conduct maritime defence and conflict prevention operations, as well as carry out surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities.
With a surface displacement capacity of 1,450t, the vessels are 62m-long and can accommodate a crew of 30.
The submarines will help the country improve its defence capabilities and combat efficiency, while safeguarding economic interests between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
