Egypt to receive German submarine in early 2017

Egypt will receive a German-made submarine in early 2017, Egyptian Navy Commander Ossama Rabie has said.

The Type 209 submarine will be the first of its kind to join the Egyptian Navy, Rabie told a press conference on Thursday during a celebration of the Navy Day of Egypt.

"The vessel will be used for protecting Egypt's national security and economic interest," he said.

Egypt is due to receive another three submarines from Germany later, he added.

The commnader reiterated that officers from the Egyptian Navy are currently in Germany to receive training on using the submarine.

Amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and growing conflicts in neighboring Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and South Sudan, Egypt is seeking to develop its military capabilities and diversify its arming sources.

In October, Egypt received its second of two Mistral-class Landing Helicopter Doc (LHD) warships from France.

Egypt had already received six new Rafale warplanes and a FREMM multi-mission frigate from France as part of a 5.6-billion-dollar deal signed between Cairo and Paris in February 2015 for 24 Rafale fighter jets and a frigate. Endit