Written past times Theodore Bazinis*
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| Some of the most modern additions to the Egyptian Navy, Type 209/1400 submarine, Ezzat course of study missile boat in addition to Aquitaine course of study frigate |
Geopolitical Situation in addition to Strategic Threats in addition to Challenges inward Maritime Domain.
Sitting astride on ane of the most valuable geostrategic point, Arab Republic of Egypt is a node betwixt Europe, Asia in addition to Africa. Her geographical seat gives the do goodness of command over ane of the most of import choke point: the Suez Canal in addition to simultaneously provides a telephone substitution role to the safety of the northern approaches of Bab el Mandeb Strait. As a consequence, threats emerging from the maritime environs touching on Egyptian interests in addition to safety directly. Threats deriving from failed states, interstate contests for demarcation or exploitation of maritime zones, interstate conflicts in addition to rivalries, civil wars (Syria), insurgencies (Yemen), terrorism (ISIS), piracy/armed robbery, humanitarian crisis, illegal migration in addition to trafficking, safety of liberate energy resources in addition to infrastructures inward Mediterranean in addition to Red Sea equally likewise Illegal Unregulated Unreported Fishing (IUU), are only about of the threats in addition to challenges originated from a complex geopolitical environment.
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| Location of Egypt |
Major naval procurements
New vessels acquired in addition to the ongoing procurements, except from upgrading naval capabilities accept likewise reduced the over-reliance from ane provider (you tin encounter the whole Egyptian fleet equally of 2017, here). New assets (already delivered or upcoming), are:
- 2 Mistral course of study amphibious warfare ships (France)
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| Mistral course of study ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser leaves Saint-Nazaire port to become on body of body of water trials. ENS Anwar El Sadat is seen inward the background. |
- 1 (+ 1) Aquitaine course of study frigates (France)
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| Tahya Misr frigate of the Egyptian Navy. More information here. |
- 4 (+2) Gowind 2500 (El Fateh) course of study corvettes (France)
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| El Fateh, the atomic number 82 send of the Gowind 2500 course of study corvettes |
- 1 Pohang course of study corvette (UPDATE) (South Korea)
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| Pohang course of study corvette Shahab Misr |
- 4 Ambassador Mk III (Ezzat) course of study fast laid on missile arts and crafts (USA)
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| Ezzat, the atomic number 82 send of the Ambassador Mk III course of study FACM. More information here. |
- 1 Molniya course of study fast laid on missile arts and crafts (Russia)
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| The sole vessel of the Project 1242.1 Molniya course of study FACM |
- 2 (+ 2) Type 209/1400 submarines (Germany)
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| S41, the starting fourth dimension boat of the novel submarines for the Egyptian Navy |
- 2 Osprey course of study minehunters (USA)
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| USS Cardinal before its transfer to the Egyptian Navy |
- 10 (?) Swiftships patrol coastal boats (USA)
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| Swiftships delivers the starting fourth dimension 2 patrol coast arts and crafts to Egyptian Navy. [2] |
Adding likewise the recent information oriented past times Zelenodolsk Shipyard annual activeness study due to which Arab Republic of Egypt is interested to gild a discover of Russian-built Buyan-M course of study corvettes. [3]
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| Buyan-M course of study corvette of the Russian Navy, armed amongst Kalibr cruise missiles |
Critics made regarding the Mistral acquisition
Although Arab Republic of Egypt is the starting fourth dimension Arab Blue Planet to accept acquired Landing Helicopter Deck (LHD) vessels, the determination provoked negative comments, focused on the next points:
a. Arab Republic of Egypt lacks experience to locomote efficiently such a ship.
b. Egyptian crew’s deficiencies inward damage of technical skills volition deprive the total exploitation of vessel’s capabilities.
c. Lack of experience inward amphibious operations in addition to integrated Task Force operational procedures, peculiarly on the might to do a comprehensive aircraft carrier battle group.
d. It was an alone political determination inward discord amongst Egyptian interests.
Although critics refer to existent facts, I experience that the most of them are based on misperceptions:
a. Acquisition of modern naval equipment ‘’builds’’ or/and reinforces abilities inward tactical level, though this physical care for is e'er arduous in addition to long-standing equally was mentioned past times the begetter of history Thucydides. So fifty-fifty if Arab Republic of Egypt has a long agency to become at nowadays it’s inward her paw to “shape” her naval ambitions.b. Actors on the strategic chessboard motility their pawns due to estimations made on capabilities rather than on abilities.c. Mistral vessels accept such capabilities which could render Arab Republic of Egypt amongst the chance to instruct involved inward regional theaters (for instance inward Libya, Syria, Yemen) in addition to assume Operations such equally humanitarian / disaster relief, non- Combatant Evacuation (NEO), Peace (Keeping, Enforcement, Support),resulting to reinforce her strategic role inward the Middle East in addition to North Africa (MENA), allow lonely her seat equally leading nation of the Arab world.
d. Due to the operational theatre inward which Mistrals are planned to locomote it’s easily seen that the threats are asymmetrical inward nature rather than conventional. Considering that a comprehensive battle-group is non absolutely necessary. My indicate hither is that Mistral could perform solely or escorted past times a modest discover of Frigates in addition to Fast Missile Crafts.e. Mistral vessels equally business office of a comprehensive naval modernization computer programme are (or could be) an indication of a strategic determination in addition to non only a political motivated one.
Rating Future Egyptian Navy
After the completion of this ambitious modernization computer programme I could assume Egyptian navy equally either a ‘’Green Water Navy’’ or due to G. Till categorization standards equally a ‘’medium aeroplane naval might capable to projection might offshore inward a regional range.’’
An adjustment to strategic challenges or a response to threats?
Even if everyone recognizes the importance of Suez Canal for Egyptian prosperity the answer to the inquiry “if Egyptian strategic aspirations are express only inward securing Suez Canal in addition to its approaches’’ is rather negative. If the contrary was the instance in addition to so vessels similar Mistral, Fremm, Gowind or fifty-fifty Perry course of study frigates would live on completely improper. Security of the only immediate maritime sphere requisites lighter in addition to faster vessels similar Ambassador Class, FPB or fifty-fifty coast guard patrol craft, inward other words it demands assets of a chocolate-brown H2O navy.
Arab Republic of Egypt is a historic in addition to critical histrion for the regional stability in addition to security. Foremost Arab Republic of Egypt has never concealed her interests in addition to pursues to practise a leading role inward MENA region.
Above mentioned facts imply that naval modernization is non a haphazard determination or driven past times diplomatic considerations, but a holistic strategic approach inward alignment amongst contemporary in addition to hereafter geopolitical demands in addition to a response to dynamics arising from maritime environment. While hence far Arab Republic of Egypt is occupied amongst her inland safety in addition to stability, edifice a ‘’green navy’’ signals a U-turn, inward pursuit of an enhanced role inward the surface area inward gild to:
a. Establish a robust presence inward Eastern Mediterranean where contests inward the maritime domain are undercurrent.
b. Be a reliable partner for external actors who accept interests in addition to are involved inward the share (USA, Russia, EU, China).
c. Be capable to perform duties so equally to protect sovereignty of Arab Republic of Egypt in addition to heighten constabulary enforcement in addition to ensure skilful gild at sea.
d. Assume commitments to protect the SLOC, providing liberate energy safety services, such equally safeguarding pipelines in addition to liberate energy infrastructures at neighboring seas.
e. Secure Bab el Mandeb where turmoil caused past times Houthi insurgents in addition to somali pirates could pose a serious threat for global transportation in addition to Suez Canal traffic.
f. Balance Iranian expansionism inward the East Mediterranean in addition to Standard Arabic peninsula.
g. Participate inward crisis management, conflict resolution in addition to disaster relief operations.
h. Participate inward initiatives that heighten regional maritime cooperation in addition to security.
Beyond the arguments virtually Egyptian navy v facts are for sure:
a. Contemporary challenges inward maritime environs touching on all political entities. Capability to respond, rewards amongst exaltation of geostrategic value.
b. In a globalized globe naval might is a critical indicator of province power.
c. Everyone do it attention of you lot inward contingencies (and non inward absolute power).
d. Navies are able to projection might over a large infinite in addition to to a greater extent than importantly do potentiality for alliances.
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| Egyptian Navy warships inward formation. |
* Theodore Bazinis is a Political Scientist –International Relations (MA) in addition to Researcher inward the Institute of International Relations inward Athens, at Maritime Strategy in addition to Security Department.
Sources:
1. Baer, G. W., 1994. The U.S. of America Navy, 1890-1990. One hundred years of Sea power. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press
2. http://www.defenceweb.co.za, access 27 July 2017
3. https://www.menadefense.net, access xiii July 2017
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