Egyptian Navy
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The Egyptian Navy is the smallest branch of the Egyptian military. The navy's missions include protection of more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, defense of approaches to the Suez Canal, and support for army operations.
The navy's main operational subdivisions are the Frigate, Submarine, Mine Warfare, Missile Boat, and Coastal Patrol Boat commands. Commanding the naval forces is Vice Admiral Moheb Memish as of 1 Nov 2007.
The navy lacks its own air arm and depends on the air force for maritime reconnaissance and protection against submarines. The air force equipment that supports the navy includes 9 Gazelle, 13 SH-2G Seasprite and 5 Sea King helicopters mounted with antiship and antisubmarine missiles. In mid-1988 the air force also took delivery of the first of six Grumman EW E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, it also operates 6 Beech 1900C aircraft for maritime surveillance purposes with search and side-looking radar. The Egyptian Navy also uses Mi-8 and H-3 Sea King helicopters to transport troops.
The Egyptian Navy has adopted the 60m, diesel-powered Ambassador MK III fast missile patrol craft and construction of the boats began in spring 2001. Egypt already had an older version of the Ambassador patrol craft in service, but the new boats would contain an update in design meant to make the vessels more resistant to radar detection. Design was conducted with the assistance of Lockheed Martin.
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The Egyptian Navy (EN) currently consists of one hundred fourteen ships and craft:
- 4 Improved Romeo class
- 4 Mubarak (Oliver Hazard Perry) class
- 2 Domyat (Knox) class
- 2 Descubierta class
- 2 Jianghu class
- 4 Ambassador MK III class
- 4 Osa I (Type 205) class
- 5 Tiger (Type 148) class
- 6 Ramadan class
- 4 October class
- 5 Hegu class
- 8 Hainan class
- 6 Shershen class
- 4 Shanghai II class
- 3 Polnocny A class Landing Ships, Medium (LSMs)
- 9 Vydra class Landing Craft, Utility (LCU)
- 8 Seafox class Landing Craft, Assault (LCA)
- 6 T-43 class Fleet Minesweepers (MSFs)
- 4 Yurka class Fleet Minesweepers (MSFs)
- 2 Osprey class Coastal Mine Hunters (MHCs)
- 3 Swiftships Coastal Mine Hunters (MHCs)
- 2 Swiftships Inshore Route Survey Vessels (MSIs)
- 6 Okhtenskiy Ocean Tug
- 8 Toplivo II Coastal Tankers
- 1 El Fateh (Z) class Destroyer
- 1 Tariq (Blackswan) class Frigate(Sloop)
- 1 Intissar class Ship
- 1 El Horeya Yacht
- 1 El Quosseir Yacht
The Coast Guard is responsible for the onshore protection of public installations near the coast and the patrol of coastal waters to prevent smuggling. Currently consists of one hundred five ships and craft.
- 21 Timsah class
- 9 Swiftships class
- 9 Type 83 class
- 6 Crestitalia class
- 12 Spectre class
- 12 Petersen class
- 5 Nisr class
- 29 DC class
- Harpoon with 120km range and 220kg payload.
- Exocet (MM-38) with 65km range and 165kg payload.
- HY-2 Silkworm with 95km range and 513kg payload.
- Otomat Mk1 with 80km range and 210kg payload.
- SS-N-2a Styx with 43km range and 513kg payload.
- Otomat MkII with 120km range and 210kg payload.
- Exocet (MM-40) with 50km range and 165kg payload.
- Exocet (AM-39) with 70km range and 165kg payload.
- Harpoon with 120km range and 220kg payload (launched from F-16 fighters).
- See also: List of naval ships of Egypt
The Egyptian navy's main base is at Alexandria. There are also bases in Hurghada ,Safaga and Suez.
In 1967, the Egyptian Navy was the first navy in history to sink down a ship via anti-ship missiles when Egyptian Komar class fast-attack craft sank the Israeli destroyer Eilat with at least three direct hit. This was a milestone of modern naval warfare, and for the first time anti-ship missiles showed their potential, sinking this destroyer at 17 km from Port Said.