A NS-44 Type German-made submarine (S-44) arrived at Alexandria Naval Base yesterday to join the Egyptian Navy, the Armed Forces spokesman said in a statement.
The submarine came with its Egyptian crew from the port of Kiel in Germany, the spokesman said, adding that the unit’s joining of the Egyptian navy boosts the combat capabilities of our naval forces, preserves our economic potentials in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and helps secure the Suez Canal, thereby contributing to the maintenance of naval security in such a way that enhances the achievement of stability and peace in the region.
Acquisition of the S-44 Type and similar vessels represents an unprecedented leap for the Egyptian Navy, contributing in effect to raising its global rating, the spokesman said in the statement posted on his official Facebook page.
In a speech to a ceremony welcoming the new submarine’s arrival, the Navy Commander, Vice-Admiral Ahmed Khaled, stressed that the Navy continues to seek the acquisition of the most up-to-date weapon systems so as to remain capable of defending the country’s coasts and economic interests.
He also thanked the political leadership and the Armed Forces General Command for the efforts made to modernise weaponry.
Attending the reception ceremony were some Armed Forces commanders, veteran Navy commanders, the German Ambassador to Cairo, the German military attaché in Cairo, students of the Navy and Air Defence colleges, students from Alexandria University and a large number of people from Alexandria Governorate.
As part of the ceremony, the Navy staged off the Alexandria City shores a show of more than 50 units that included submarines, carriers, frigates and multi-task boats.
