Second Algerian Meko frigate arrives home

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The Algerian Navy’s newest frigate, the Meko 200AN class vessel El Moudamir, has arrived in Algeria after leaving Germany on 15 May.

El Moudamir (911) arrived home on 21 May, and was escorted into Algerian waters by the tug El Mounjid, a Kebir class patrol boat and two Alusafe 2000 rescue and patrol vessels while an AW101 from the Navy flew overhead, according to Mena Defense.

El Moudamir was built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) at Kiel in Germany, and was seen passing through the Kiel Canal on 15 May, and then past the United Kingdom on 17 May. The vessel was launched on 11 December 2015 and began sea trials in August last year.

Algeria’s two Meko frigates were ordered in March 2012, with options for two more. The first, Erradii (910) was launched on 5 December 2014 and arrived in the port of Algiers on 19 April 2016.

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.