ENS Al-Galala in 2022
History
Egypt
Name
  • Al-Galala
  • (الجلالة)
NamesakeAl-Galala
Builder
Laid down21 December 2015
Launched26 January 2019
Acquired23 December 2020
Commissioned23 December 2020
Renamedfrom Spartaco Schergat
HomeportAlexandria
IdentificationHull number: FFG 1002
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeCarlo Bergamini-class frigate
Displacement6,700 tons
Length144.6 ft (44.1 m)
Beam19.7 ft (6.0 m)
Draught8.7 ft (2.7 m)
Propulsion
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph); max cruise speed 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph)
Range6,800 nmi (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement199
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilitiesDouble hangar

ENS Al-Galala (FFG 1002) is a FREMM multipurpose frigate of the Egyptian Navy. Al-Galala was originally constructed as the Carlo Bergamini-class Spartaco Schergat before being acquired by Egypt and being renamed.

Development and design

Three original variants of the FREMM were proposed; an anti-submarine variant (ASW) and a general-purpose variant (GP) and a land-attack variant (AVT) to replace the existing classes of frigates within the French and Italian navies. A total of 27 FREMM were to be constructed - 17 for France and 10 for Italy - with additional aims to seek exports, however budget cuts and changing requirements has seen this number drop significantly for France, while the order for Italy remained unchanged. The land-attack variant (AVT) was subsequently cancelled.

In 2020 and 2021 it was reported that Italy would sell all its FREMM-class frigates in the current production line (Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi) to Egypt. Spartaco Schergat was in the final stage of her sea trials while Emilio Bianchi would follow within one year. The deal reportedly also involved other military equipment and was worth 1.2 billion Euros.[1]

Some sensitive equipment was deleted from the original Italian design, including the EW suite’s jammers, NETTUNO-4100 RECM system and Thales Altesse CESM equipment. SATCOM antennas were also removed from the communication suite.[2]

Construction and career

On 26 January 2019, the launching ceremony of the ship took place at the Fincantieri plants in Riva Trigoso. On December 31, Al-Galala arrived at Alexandria's naval base after Italy finished training the Egyptian crew on operating the ship, and it was ready for service.[3] Al-Galala can provide protection to Egyptian economic sites like Zohr Field, and other fields in the Mediterranean or the red sea. It's also capable for anti submarine warfare, and anti ship warfare. It was reported that Italy would then order two additional FREMM frigates to replace those transferred to Egypt with the anticipated delivery of the replacements by 2024.[4]

References

  1. "Egypt would have signed an order with Italy for the delivery of two FREMM frigates". navyrecognition.com. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  2. "First Italian-Built FREMM delivered to Egypt Reaches Alexandria". 31 December 2020.
  3. "Egypt receives 1st FREMM Bergamini frigate dubbed 'Al Galala'". EgyptToday. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  4. "Italian Minister Confirms Sale of Two Frigates to Egypt". defense-aerospace.com. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
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