Egypt orders DCNS FREMM frigate

Egypt and DCNS have signed an agreement for the supply of a FREMM multi-mission frigate, the company announced on 16 February.

The frigate, the current Normandie, will be delivered mid-2015 after some outfitting work, and the first phase of the training programme. The logistics and support services provided to the Egyptian Navy will continue over several years.

The frigate to be delivered under this agreement will be from a series currently under construction for the French Navy. To maintain the operational capacities of the French Navy, DCNS will increase the rate of production of its subsequent ships.

Hervé Guillou, chairman and CEO, DCNS, said: 'With this agreement, DCNS is pursuing a policy of long-term partnership with the Egyptian Navy and its shipyards, with whom we plan to invest in the long-term to develop their skills and industrial facilities. In addition, strengthening our relations opens new perspectives for the sale of vessels.'

FREMM multi-mission frigates are versatile vessels that can respond to all types of air, marine, submarine or land threats. They have a length of 142m, width of 20m, displacement of 6,000 tonnes and a maximum speed of 27 knots.