German submarine specialist thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has handed over the third Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarine to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
S43 is the third of four boats being built by TKMS and was delivered in a small ceremony on April 9. Due to very strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, the handover was attended only by an inner circle of project managers.
“Given the global corona pandemic, this handover marks a very special milestone for us. We are extremely proud of our employees, who completed the boat on time and in line with our comprehensive health protection measures,” Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, stated. “Our thanks also go to our customer, who has always put great trust in our capabilities!”
S43 was handed over after being launched in May 2019. The first submarine, S41, was delivered in December 2016 and the second, S42, in August 2017.
According to TKMS, the final boat is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.
The 62-meter submarines displace approximately 1,450 tons and have a crew of 30. They are fitted with Atlas Elektronik’s SeaHake heavy weight torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.
The HDW Class 209/1400mod is the latest version of the HDW Type 209 “family” with over 60 boats built or under contract. Egypt ordered its first two units in 2011 and the two follow-on boats in 2015.
