Thyssen Krupp begins work on subs for Egypt

German naval equipment manufacturer Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has started work on two more Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines which are likely to be delivered to the Egyptian Navy before the end of 2016.

In a statement sent to Egyptian state-owned news agency Middle East News Agency (MENA) after meeting Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, German Ambassador to Egypt Julius George Luy said the submarines are being built at the TKMS main factory plant in the northern German city of Kiel.

Further, Luy said the Egyptian Foreign Affairs minister would visit Berlin between Jan. 11 and 14 next year to meet senior German government officials and discuss issues of "common interest" and how the two countries can possibly collaborate on North African regional security affairs.

Early this month, top Egyptian government and Navy officials attended the launch of the first of four Type 209/1400 submarines ordered in pairs by the North African country in two deals signed in 2011 and 2014.

Speaking at the launch, Egyptian Navy commander Rear Adm. Osama Mounir described the new submarines as a "great technological addition" that will help improve the operational capabilities of the navy and guarantee national security.

It has maximum speeds of 21 km/h (13 mph) when cruising on the surface and 42 km/h when submerged. Its armament system comprises eight 21-inch torpedo tubes, 14 torpedoes and is integrated for optional UGM-84 Harpoon missile systems.

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