Egypt has begun constructing a new fleet of coastal protection vessels in cooperation with German shipbuilder NVL Group, advancing a program aimed at strengthening the Egyptian Navy and expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Production of the PV43-M class started in September at Alexandria Shipyard, overseen by NVL Egypt, the local subsidiary of NVL Group. The project covers ten vessels, each approximately 43 meters in length, intended for coastal surveillance, maritime infrastructure protection, and general patrol missions along Egypt’s territorial waters.
The contract, awarded in 2023, marks the first time this class of ship is being built entirely in Egypt, supported by technical assistance and supervision from NVL facilities in Germany. The program includes a technology transfer component intended to develop local industry expertise and sustain future naval manufacturing.
NVL Egypt managing director Maged Marie noted that the collaboration is intended to “establish long-term shipbuilding capabilities within Egypt” and form the basis for additional naval projects.
NVL Group CEO Tim Wagner stated that the partnership includes continued maintenance, operational support, and personnel training to ensure lifecycle readiness of the new fleet.
The PV43-M initiative follows several recent acquisitions and modernization efforts by the Egyptian Navy. In 2020, Egypt commissioned two FREMM frigates, ENS Al-Galala and ENS Bernice, built by Italy’s Fincantieri. The country also completed delivery of four Gowind 2500 corvettes from Naval Group, three of which were constructed at the same Alexandria shipyard involved in the current program.
Egypt continues to operate German-built Type 209/1400 submarines, with the latest delivered in 2021, and maintains two Mistral-class helicopter carriers acquired from France, which serve as key capital vessels in its fleet.
The combined shipbuilding and procurement activities reflect Egypt’s ongoing effort to develop a more independent naval industrial base while expanding its maritime presence in the Mediterranean and Red Sea.