Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
French defense shipbuilder Naval Group has strengthened its longstanding partnership with the Egyptian Navy following the renewal of a major in-service support (ISS) contract covering seven key naval vessels. The agreement, originally signed in 2019, has now been extended for an additional five years, underscoring both sides’ commitment to ensuring high fleet availability and deepening industrial cooperation.
The contract encompasses some of the most advanced surface assets in Egypt’s fleet: the FREMM multi-mission frigate Tahya Misr; the two Egyptian landing helicopter docks Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar El Sadat, both derived from the Mistral class; and the four Gowind-class corvettes El Fateh, Port Said, El Moez, and Al Ismailia. These ships constitute the backbone of Egypt’s modern naval capabilities in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and their sustained readiness is a strategic priority for Cairo.
Under the renewed agreement, Naval Group will expand its on-the-ground presence, creating additional work opportunities for Egyptian technicians and engineers who will be integrated into Naval Group’s support teams. The company is also seeking to broaden cooperation with Egyptian industry. Ongoing discussions aim to bring more local suppliers into the naval maintenance ecosystem, enabling them to work directly alongside Naval Group specialists and the Egyptian Navy. Such integration aligns with Egypt’s wider push for defense industrial localization and technical capacity-building.
Naval Group’s deepening role in Egypt is the result of nearly a decade of cooperation. The company has supplied the Egyptian Navy with a high-end FREMM frigate, two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, and four Gowind corvettes. Three of the corvettes were built in Egypt under a technology transfer program, a milestone that significantly boosted domestic shipbuilding expertise. In 2018, Naval Group cemented its long-term presence by inaugurating a subsidiary in Alexandria, positioning itself to offer local support, training, and industrial partnerships.
The renewal of the ISS contract suggests that both sides view the relationship as strategically valuable. For Egypt, sustained technical assistance ensures the operational continuity of its most sophisticated vessels at a time when maritime security dynamics in the region remain complex. For Naval Group, the agreement reinforces its footprint in one of the Middle East’s most important naval markets, while advancing its strategy of local engagement and industrial integration.
The expanded support arrangement is expected to enhance not only fleet readiness but also Egypt’s domestic defense capabilities, gradually increasing the country’s autonomy in maintaining and operating its growing modern fleet.
