Egypt is negotiating with Germany for obtaining 2 units of MEKO A200 frigate as an alternative to the additional Naval Group Gowind corvettes for 1 billion Euros, according to Le Tribune, a French national newspaper.
The ThyssenKrupp and Blohm + Voss GmbH MEKO A-200 class ships are the next generation of surface combatants evolved from the MEKO-family and offered by Germany for the export market.
The sale of two Meko A200 remains surprising for many observers. First, the price of German vessles are much more expensive than its rivals, including the Gowind. Then, the Egyptians would have asked that she be armed with the MBDA Aster 30. However, the French authorities have always linked the sale of this missile to the sale of a platform or French or Italian.
The MEKO A-200 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) class frigate features a towed array sonar and a variable depth sonar. Their VLS accommodates surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets. Up to two light ASW helicopters can be operated from this ship. Eight Anti-ship missiles, 2 RAM close-in weapon systems, and a 127 mm naval gun complete the weapon system. The MEKO A-200 ASW frigate includes a 3D phased array radar and a 2D long range search radar. The MEKO A-200 ASW version has been ordered by the South African Navy (MEKO A-200 SAN).
The four frigates were delivered to South Africa between 2006 and 2007. Algeria (MEKO A-200 AN) has also ordered two class frigates commissioned in 2015 and 2016.
MEKO A-200 ASW Specifications
Crew: 100
Number of Weapons: 48
Troops: 20
Dimensions
Beam: 16.3 meter (53 foot)
Length: 121 meter (397 foot)
Main Gun Caliber: 127 millimeter
Performance
Max Range: 7,400 kilometer (3,996 nautical mile)
Speed
Cruise Speed: 20 knot (10.3 mps)
Top Speed: 27 knot (13.9 mps)
Weight
Full Displacement: 3,500 ton