Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier announced the decision of the Federal Security Council in March this year to allow TKMS to deliver the fourth vessel. A final decision on the approval was made earlier this month despite criticism from politicians that Egypt’s rearmament could fuel conflict in Yemen and Libya, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported.

The Egyptian Navy’s third Type 209/1400mod submarine (S43) arrived in Egypt on 5 May after sailing from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems’ yard in Germany. It was officially handed over to the Egyptian Navy on 9 April in Kiel.

The contract for the delivery of the first two Type 209/1400mod class submarines to Egypt was signed in 2011. In 2015, Egypt decided to take the option for two additional units of the most recent version of the Type 209 family.

The first submarine, named S41, was handed over in December 2016 and the second submarine, named S42, in August 2017. The programme is planned to end with the handover of the fourth ship in 2021.

Egypt’s new Type 209 submarines have a range of 11 000 nautical miles, a top speed of 21 knots and displacement of over 1 400 tonnes. Egypt said the Type 209/1400s will be able to launch missiles and torpedoes – it is believed they will be fitted with Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The average Type 209 has a crew of 30 and displaces 1 594 tons submerged. The type is 62 metres long with a 6.2 metre pressure hull diameter. It can dive to a maximum depth of 250 metres and is armed with eight torpedo tubes with 14 torpedoes. Speed is ten knots on the surface and 21 knots dived.

The German parliament in April 2019 approved the sale of six Meko A200 frigates to Egypt.

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