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Egyptian and Spanish navies conduct naval military exercise in Mediterranean Sea.
According to news published on the Egypt Today website on October 10, 2020, Egyptian and Spanish navies including the Egyptian frigate “Toshka” and the Spanish frigate “Reina Sofia” conduct naval training military exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Egyptian Navy frigate “Toshka” F906. (Picture source Jeff Head FlickR account)
The goals of this naval exercise are to increase fighting capabilities, as well as the combating readiness of the Egyptian naval forces. It's also an opportunity for the Egyptian navy to boost military cooperation and expertise exchange with other friendly countries.
The Egyptian Navy Toushka F906 is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate build for the U.S. Navy. The USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) was decommissioned and stricken on 18 September 1998, she was transferred to Egypt the same day as Toushka.
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were built by Bath Iron Works in Maine and Todd Shipyards in Seattle and San Pedro, California. The first Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG 7) entered service with the U.S. Navy in December 1977.
The Toushka F906 frigate is armed with Mk.13 missile launcher with 40 missiles (mix of 32 SM-1MR Standard SAM and 8 Harpoon SSM), one 76 mm OTO Melara DP gun, two double WASS B-515 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes, one 20 mm Phalanx CIWS In Weapon System) AA gun and two triple 12.75-inch (324 mm) torpedo tubes.
The Toushka frigate can accommodate two naval helicopters. The vessel has two hangars and a large helicopter deck fitted with a single landing spot and a RAST (Recovery Assist, Secure, and Traverse) recovery assist securing and traversing system.
The Toushka frigate is powered by two GE LM 2500 gas turbine engines generating 30.59MW (41,000shp) and driving a single shaft with a constant pitch propeller. She can reach a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) with a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots (9,300 km at 33 km/h).
Reina Sofía (F-84) Spanish-built Santa Maria-class frigate (Picture source Spanish Navy)
The Reina Sofía (F-84) is the fourth of six Spanish-built Santa Maria-class frigates, based on the American Oliver Hazard Perry-class design, of the Spanish Navy. Built-in two batches, the second batch units (F-85 and 86) received some improvements, such as an improved combat-data system, updated SPS-49 and SQR-19 sets, and a new Meroka mount. The Mk92 Mod 6 CORT replaced the previous Mod 4, providing better capabilities against sea-skimming missiles. The electronic warfare suite was also updated.
Spanish ships have a slightly bigger beam and were built with a greater weight reserve for future improvements. Other changes from the basic model include Meroka replacing Phalanx and a RAN-12L air search radar to provide low horizon coverage against sea skimmers cueing the Meroka CIWS mount. The Nettunel EW (Electronic Warfare) suite replaced the SLQ-32 system fitted aboard US ships.
The Reina Sofía is armed with one single-arm Mk 13 Missile Launcher with a 40-round magazine that can handle SM-1MR anti-air/ship missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two triple Mark 32 ASW torpedo tubes with Mark 46 Mod5 anti-submarine torpedoes, one OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun and one 20 mm Meroka 12 barrel AA system.
is powered by two General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines generating 41,000 shp. (31 MW) through a single shaft and variable pitch propeller and two auxiliary propulsion units developing 350 hp (260 kW) retractable electric azimuth thrusters for maneuvering and docking. She can reach a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph).