According to a PR published by Fincantieri on November 22, 2023, the firm announced the signing of a significant 10-year contract with the Armament Authority of Egypt, representing the Ministry of Defense.
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Egyptian Navy's FREMM Bergamini class frigate ENS Bernees. (Picture source: Egyptian Armed Forces)
This contract, valued at approximately €260 million, entails providing a comprehensive suite of support services for two Fremm vessels. The services covered under this agreement include preventive maintenance, integrated logistic support, and corrective maintenance on demand.
This contract's implementation is contingent on the fulfillment of standard conditions precedent typical in this sector. The agreement's total value also includes a portion allocated to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) – a joint venture between Fincantieri, holding a 51% stake, and Leonardo, with 49% ownership. OSN will function as a sub-supplier in this deal.
Egyptian FREMM frigates
ENS Tahya Misr (FFG 1001): Originally constructed as the Aquitaine-class Normandie for the French Navy, ENS Tahya Misr was acquired by Egypt and entered service in 2015. It has a displacement of 6,000 tons, a length of 466 feet (142.0 meters), a beam of 65 feet (19.8 meters), and a draught of 16 feet (4.9 meters).
The propulsion system includes MTU Series 4000 engines and a CODLOG (Combined Diesel-electric or Gas) system. This frigate can reach speeds up to 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots.
The armament includes 16 MBDA SYLVER A43 VLS for Aster 15 missiles, one Leonardo OTO Melara 76 mm SR gun, three Nexter 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon systems, and eight MBDA MM40 Exocet block 3 anti-ship missiles. Additionally, it has two double Leonardo (WASS) B-515 launchers for MU 90 torpedoes. ENS Tahya Misr carries one NH90 helicopter and features a single hangar.
ENS Al-Galala (FFG 1002): This FREMM multipurpose frigate, originally named Spartaco Schergat, was also acquired by Egypt from Italy. ENS Al-Galala has a displacement of 6,700 tons, with a length of 144.6 feet (44.1 meters), a beam of 19.7 feet (6.0 meters), and a draught of 8.7 feet (2.7 meters).
Its propulsion system is a CODLAG configuration with a 32 MW gas turbine and two 2.5 MW electric motors. The armaments include a 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for Aster missiles, a Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano gun, Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS gun, and two Leonardo Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm remote weapon systems. The ship can also carry two SH90 or one AW101 helicopter.
ENS Bernees (FFG 1003): Similar to ENS Al-Galala, ENS Bernees is a former Italian FREMM frigate. She shares the same displacement, dimensions, and propulsion system as ENS Al-Galala.
The ship's armament configuration includes a Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano gun, a Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS gun, and two Leonardo Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm remote weapon systems. It also features 16 Vertical Launch System cells and two triple Leonardo (WASS) B-515/3 launchers for MU 90 torpedoes.
