| Egyptian Navy | |
|---|---|
Naval Ensign |
|
| Active | 19th Century - Present |
| Country | Egypt |
| Type | Navy |
| Size | 221 vessels |
| Part of | Egyptian Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Alexandria |
| Colours | Blue and White |
| Anniversaries | October 21st |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Navy | Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish |
| Chief of Staff of the Navy | Real Admiral Osama El-Gendy |
| Insignia | |
| Insignia | Egyptian Navy ranks |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare |
Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye |
| Helicopter | Aérospatiale Gazelle, Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite, Westland Sea King |
The Egyptian Navy is the maritime branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The navy's missions include protection of more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, defense of approaches to the Suez Canal, and support for army operations. Majority of the navy was created with the help of the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The navy received ships in the 1980s from China and other western sources. In 1989, the Egyptian Navy had 18,000 personnel as well as 2,000 personnel in the Coast Guard.[1]
The navy's main operational subdivisions are the Frigate, Corvette, Submarine, Mine Warfare, Missile Boat, and Coastal Patrol Boat commands. Commanding the naval forces is Vice Admiral Moheb Memish as of 1 Nov 2007.
The navy lacks its own air arm and depends on the Egyptian Air Force for maritime reconnaissance and protection against submarines. The Egyptian Air Force equipment that supports the navy includes the following:
In mid-1988 the air force also took delivery of the first of 6 Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, now 8 units are operational and are used to secure the maritime borders among other missions; it also operates 6 Beechcraft 1900C aircraft for maritime surveillance purposes with search and side-looking radar. The Egyptian Navy also uses Mil Mi-8 and Sea King helicopters to transport troops.[2]
The Egyptian Navy has adopted the 60m diesel-powered Ambassador MK III fast missile patrol craft. The construction of the boats began in spring 2001. Egypt already had an older version of the Ambassador patrol craft in service, but the new boats would contain an update in design meant to make the vessels more resistant to radar detection. Design was conducted with the assistance of Lockheed Martin.
The Egyptian navy was only peripherally involved in the series of conflicts with Israel. During the 1956 War, Egyptian destroyers and torpedo boats engaged larger British vessels in a move aimed at undermining the amphibious operations of the British and French. The Egyptian blockade of ships in the Strait of Tiran that were headed toward Israel helped precipitate the June 1967 War, but Egypt's navy played only a minor role in the overall conflict. The navy's most significant action occurred in October 1967, a few months after the cease-fire, when an Egyptian missile boat sank one of Israel's two destroyers in Egyptian territorial waters off Port Said.
In Nov. 15th/16th,1969, the Egyptian Navy frogmen attacked the port of Eilat and caused severe damages to the transport armed ship "Bat Yam".[3]
On Feb.5th/6th,1970, the Frogmen attacked the Israeli landing ships at the same port and same piers causing severe damages to the landing ships "Bait Shivaa" and transport armed ships "Hydroma".[4]
On Mar.8th,1970 the Frogmen attacked the Israeli oil drill "Keting" at the port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast providing that. Israel had bought this oil drill from Holland for the purposes of oil exploration in the suez Gulf.[5]
In the October 1973 War, Egypt blocked commercial traffic to Elat in the Gulf of Aqaba by laying mines; it also attempted to blockade Israeli ports on the Mediterranean.[6] Using the coastal artillery to the east of Port Fouad to support the Land Forces in order to prepare for the assault of the Suez Canal. * Launching missile attacks against coastal targets. Carrying out tactical ambushes through the use of navy commandos behind the enemy defensive lines to the east of Port Said and along the Gulf of Suez.[7]
See: List of ships of the Egyptian Navy for detailed information about modifications, and major specifications
The Egyptian Navy (EN) and coast guard currently consists of 221 ships and craft: [8]
The Egyptian Coast Guard is responsible for the onshore protection of public installations near the coast and the patrol of coastal waters to prevent smuggling. Currently consists of one hundred five ships and craft.
The Egyptian navy's main base is at Alexandria. There are also bases in Hurghada, Safaga, Port Said, Mersa Matruh, Birnees and Suez.
| Commissioned Officer rank insignia of the Egyptian Navy | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ensign | Sub-Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant Commander | Commander | Captain | Commodore | Rear Admiral | Vice Admiral | Admiral | |
| (Arabic: ملازم بحرى) | (Arabic: ملازم أول بحرى) | (Arabic: نقيب بحرى) | (Arabic: رائد بحرى) | (Arabic: مقدم بحرى) | (Arabic: عقيد بحرى) | (Arabic: عميد بحرى) | (Arabic: لواء بحرى) | (Arabic: فريق بحرى) | (Arabic: فريق أول بحرى) | |
| Commissioned Officer Collar insignia of the Egyptian Navy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remaining Officer | Captain | Commodore | Rear Admiral | Vice Admiral and Admiral |
| Enlisted upper-arm rank insignia of the Egyptian Navy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Corporal | Sergeant | Master Sergeant | |
| (Arabic: جندي أول) | (Arabic: عريف) | (Arabic: رقيب) | (Arabic: رقيب أول) | |
In October 1967 the Egyptian Navy was the first navy in history to sink a ship using anti-ship missiles, when an Egyptian Komar class fast-attack craft sank the Israeli destroyer INS Eilat with two direct hits.[16] This was a milestone of modern naval warfare, and for the first time anti-ship missiles showed their potential, sinking the destroyer at 17 km from Port Said.
In October 2008, the Egyptian Navy launched the largest exercise in its history celebrating the Egyptian Armed Forces Day. The exercise is called victory 41. About 44 vessels including frigates, submarines, fast attack missile boats and landing ships conducted the exercise.
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