Algerian Navy commissions first Meko frigate

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The Algerian Navy has commissioned the first of two Meko frigates at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Germany, and will take delivery of the vessel in the coming months.

The first frigate was named Harrad (Deterrent) during the commissioning on 23 February at the TKMS yard in Kiel, reports Navy Recognition.

It will apparently be delivered to Oran in Algeria in late April/early May. The vessel (910) was launched on 5 December 2014.

The second frigate (hull number 911) was launched in December 2015 and will be delivered in 2017. The two vessels, with options for more, were ordered in March 2012.

Algeria’s Meko frigates are equipped with the Saab Sea Giraffe AMB (Agile Multi-Beam) 3D surveillance radar; Saab CEROS 200 radar/electro-optical (EO) fire control directors; Thales UMS4132 Kingklip sonar; OTO Melara 127/64 LW (Lightweight) 127 mm naval gun; MSI-Defence 30 mm cannons; Rheinmetall Defence MASS softkill decoy launchers; Denel Dynamics Umkhonto-IR missiles; MU90 torpedoes and Saab/Diehl Defence RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles.

Algeria also ordered six AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopters for the vessels and these are being fitted with Thales Compact FLASH dipping sonars, MU90 torpedoes and Mokopa missiles.

Meanwhile, late last year Algeria received the first of three C28A corvettes from China. The corvette, named Adhafer (920) was seen heading home in early October. The other two C28A corvettes are due for delivery to Algeria in 2016 and 2017. Algeria signed a contract for the three C28A corvettes in March 2012. The first vessel (920) was launched on August 16 2014 and the second corvette (921) was launched in February 2015.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the corvettes are armed with C-802/CSS-N-8 anti-ship missiles and FM-90 surface-to-air missiles. When the second vessel (921) was launched in February, it was fitted with two Type 730 series close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets. A 76 mm main gun completes the armament.

Two Tigr corvettes are scheduled for delivery from Russia in 2017, while two Project-636E/Kilo submarines will be delivered to the Algerian Navy in 2018.