Egyptian Navy.html



Egyptian Navy Ensign and Jack

The Egyptian Navy is the smallest branch of the Egyptian military. The navy's missions include protection of more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, defense of approaches to the Suez Canal, and support for army operations.

The navy's main operational subdivisions are the Frigate, Submarine, Mine Warfare, Missile Boat, and Coastal Patrol Boat commands. Commanding the naval forces is Vice Admiral Moheb Memish as of 1 Nov 2007.

The navy lacks its own air arm and depends on the air force for maritime reconnaissance and protection against submarines. The air force equipment that supports the navy includes 9 Gazelle, 13 SH-2G Seasprite and 5 Sea King helicopters mounted with antiship and antisubmarine missiles. In mid-1988 the air force also took delivery of the first of six E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, it also operates 6 Beech 1900C aircraft for maritime surveillance purposes with search and side-looking radar. The Egyptian Navy also uses Mi-8 and H-3 Sea King helicopters to transport troops.¹

The Egyptian Navy has adopted the 60m, diesel-powered Ambassador MK III fast missile patrol craft and construction of the boats began in spring 2001. Egypt already had an older version of the Ambassador patrol craft in service, but the new boats would contain an update in design meant to make the vessels more resistant to radar detection. Design was conducted with the assistance of Lockheed Martin.

USS Kirk, a Knox class frigate, the same type used by Egypt.

US.Navy Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate, the same type used by Egypt.

The Current Fleet

See: List of ships of the Egyptian Navy for detailed information about modifications, and major specifications

The Egyptian Navy (EN) currently consists of 114 ships and craft:

Submarine Force

• 4 Improved Romeo class submarines, armed with encapsulated harpoon missiles that can be launched from high depth under water, as well as new sonar, air conditioning, and radar systems.

Surface Combattant Force

Guided Missile Frigates

• 4 Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate class
• 2 Knox class frigate class

General Purpose & ASW Frigates

• 2 El Suez class, Spanish Descubierta class frigate
• 2 Najm el Zapher class, PRC Jianghu class (Type 053H)
• 2 Koni class²

Littoral Warfare Force

Guided Missile Combatants

• 4 Ambassador MK III class
• A new $ 400 million contract have been made in 29 september 2008 for the sale of 3 new fast missile combatants. The ships will be armed with surface-to-air and surface-to-surface harpoon missiles. The first ship is to be delivered in 2010, the other two will be deliverd in 2011 and 2012.

Large Fast Attack Crafts (FAC) Missile

• 5 Ossa I (Type 205) class³⁴
• 5 Tiger Type 148 class
• 6 Ramadan class

Coastal Fast Attack Crafts (FAC) Missile

• 4 October class
• 5 Hegu class

ASW Coastal Patrol Boats

• 8 Hainan class

Coastal Patrol Boats

• 6 Shershen class
• 4 Shanghai II class

Amphibious Forces

• 3 Polnocny A class Landing Ships, Medium (LSMs)
• 9 Vydra class Landing Craft, Utility (LCU)
• 8 Seafox class Landing Craft, Assault (LCA)

Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs)

• 6 T-43 class Fleet Minesweepers (MSFs)
• 4 Yurka class Fleet Minesweepers (MSFs)
• 2 Osprey class Coastal Mine Hunters (MHCs)
• 3 Swiftships Coastal Mine Hunters (MHCs)
• 2 Swiftships Inshore Route Survey Vessels (MSIs)
• 4 Tuima class Minelayer boats (MLC) ⁵

Auxiliary Ships

• 6 Okhtenskiy Ocean Tug
• 8 Toplivo II Coastal Tankers

Training Ships

• 1 El Fateh (Z) class Destroyer
• 1 Tariq (Blackswan) class Frigate(Sloop)
• 1 Intissar class Ship
• 1 El Horeya Yacht
• 1 El Quosseir Yacht

The Egyptian Coast Guard (ECG)

The Coast Guard is responsible for the onshore protection of public installations near the coast and the patrol of coastal waters to prevent smuggling. Currently consists of one hundred five ships and craft.

Patrol Boats

• 21 Timsah class
• 9 Swiftships class

Patrol Crafts

• 9 Type 83 class
• 6 Crestitalia class
• 12 Spectre class
• 12 Petersen class
• 5 Nisr class
• 29 DC class

Weaponry

Ship to Ship/Surface Missiles

• Harpoon with 120km range and 220kg payload (launched from Ambassador class FPB/M, Knox class frigates, Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates & Discubierta class light frigates).
• Exocet (MM-38) with 65km range and 165kg payload (launched from Tiger class FPB/M).
• HY-2 Silkworm with 95km range and 513kg payload (launched from Hegu class Coastal FAC/M).
• Otomat Mk1 with 80km range and 210kg payload (launched from Ramadan class FPB/M).
• SS-N-2a Styx with 43km range and 513kg payload (launched from OSA I & October class FAC/M).

Surface to Ship/Surface Missile (Coastal Defence)

• FL-1 with 95km range and 513kg payload.
• AS-5 Kelt with 250km range and 1000kg payload. (Modified from air launched version)
• Otomat MkII with 180km+ range and 210kg payload.
• Exocet (MM-40 MK III) with 180km range and 165kg payload.

Air to Surface/Ship Missiles

• Exocet (AM-39) with 70km range and 165kg payload (launched from Mirage 5 & Mirage 2000).
• Harpoon with 120km range and 220kg payload (launched from F-4E & F-16C/D fighters).

See also: List of naval ships of Egypt

Bases

The Egyptian navy's main base is at Alexandria. There are also bases in Hurghada ,Safaga and Suez.

Records and Milestones

In 1967, the Egyptian Navy was the first navy in history to sink down a ship via anti-ship missiles when Egyptian Komar class fast-attack craft sank the Israeli destroyer Eilat with two direct hits.⁶ This was a milestone of modern naval warfare, and for the first time anti-ship missiles showed their potential, sinking this destroyer at 17 km from Port Said.

Navy Exercises

In October 2008, the Egyptian Navy launched the largest exercise in its history celebrating attack on Israel. The exercise is called victory 41. About 44 vessels including frigates, submarines, fast attack missile boats and landing ships conducted the exercise.

See also

• Egyptian Armed Forces

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Navy of Egypt

References

• Globalsecurity.org - egyptian navy