Hellenic and Egyptian navies carried out naval exercises in Mediterranean Sea.

Navy of Greece and Egypt carried out naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea during the visit by Greek ships to the Port of Alexandria. Two ships arrived at the port of Alexandria in Egypt on August 3, 2019, including the MEKO 200HN class frigate HS Hydra F-452 and Jason class LST Rodos L-177.

Hellenic Navy Jason class LST Rodos (L-177) in the port of Alexandria, August 3, 2019. (Picture source Twitter account BoxShipCaptain)

These naval exercises come within the framework of the plan of the Egyptian Armed Forces General Command to enhance military cooperation with all friendly and brotherly countries.

They also come as part of exchanging experiences with the Greek side, and strengthening the efforts of benefiting from the capabilities of both sides in achieving their common interests.

The naval exercises included planning and implementation of a number of special training activities. The Sharm El-Sheikh F901 Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate from the Egyptian Navy will be deployed with Greece navy ships HS Hydra and LST Rodos.

The Greek Frigate Hydra (F-450) is the lead ship of the Greek Hydra frigate class and the flagship of the Hellenic Navy. The ship was built in the same shipyard as the Blohm + Voss MEKO 200 frigate class, on which its design was based. The ship was delivered to the Hellenic Navy on 15 October 1992 and first sailed in Greek waters on 28 January 1993.

The HS Hydra has a crew of 173 people including 22 officers and 151 sailors. It can sail at a maximum speed of 31 knots (57 km/h) with a maximum range of 4,100 nmi. (7,600 km). Main armament includes one naval artillery gun Mk 45 Mod 2A, two Mk15 Phalanx 20 mm cannon CIWS (Close-In Weapon System), 4×8 Mk141 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, Mk 48 Mod 2 vertical launcher for 16 × RIM-162 ESSM to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft, and 2 Mk32 Mod 5 2 × 324 mm (13 in) torpedo tubes for Mk46 torpedoes.

The LST Rodos L-177 is a Jason class Landing Ships Tank (LST) of the Hellenic Navy. The Rodos (L177), was laid down on November 1989. It was launched in October 1999 and commissioned in May 2000. Rodos (L177), was laid down on November 1989. It was launched in October 1999 and commissioned in May 2000.

The LST Rodos L-177 features troop compartments and cabins for crew members. All the units are installed with air-conditioning and heating systems. The ships can accommodate up to 350 infantry, with the possibility of transporting up to 1,200 infantry if needed. The ships can carry up 22 main battle tanks (MBT) or a variety of equipment such as armored personal carriers (APC), howitzers, vehicles, multiple rocket systems (MLRS), vehicles, trucks, etc.

The Sharm El-Sheikh F901 is a guided-missile frigate in the Oliver Hazard Perry-class designed in the United States by the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine in partnership with the New York-based naval architects Gibbs & Cox. Armament of this ship includes one single-arm Mk 13 Missile Launcher with a 40-missile magazine that contains SM-1MR anti-aircraft guided missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Mk 38 Mod 2 Naval Gun Systems, two triple Mark 32 Anti-submarine warfare torpedo tubes with Mark 46 or Mark 50 anti-submarine warfare torpedoes, one OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun, and one 20 mm cannon Phalanx CIWS.

Hellenic Navy MEKO 200HN class frigate HS Hydra F-452 in the port of Alexandria, August 3, 2019. (Picture source Twitter account BoxShipCaptain)