Home Africa Germany’s TKMS launches fourth Type 209/1400 sub for Egyptian Navy

Germany’s TKMS launches fourth Type 209/1400 sub for Egyptian Navy

Egyptian Navy submarine S44
Photo: TKMS

German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has hosted a naming and launching ceremony for the fourth and final 209/1400mod class submarine it is building for the Egyptian Navy.

The ceremonies took lace at the company’s Kiel shipyard on September 29. Following the very strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, Egyptian Navy Vice Admiral Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Navy, officially named the boat “S44”.

The contract for the delivery of the first two 209/1400 submarines to the Arab Republic of Egypt was signed in 2011. In 2015, Egypt decided to take the option for two additional units. The first submarine was handed over in December 2016 and the second submarine in August 2017. Subsequently, the third submarine, named “S43”, was handed over in April 2020.

The submarines are designed for maritime defense as well as conflict prevention, surveillance, information gathering and operations by special forces. 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.

“Given the global corona pandemic, we are pleased to welcome Vice Admiral Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said to celebrate this very special milestone,” Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, commented. “I would like to thank our employees, who have always worked in line with tremendous care and discipline in the past work-intensive month.”

Photo: TKMS