Among the Egyptian Navy’s imposing fleet of massive amphibious assault ships, modern frigates, and sophisticated submarines can be found an often-overlooked quartet of stealthy U.S.-built guided-missile patrol craft providing capabilities far beyond their diminutive size. The effort to build four 700-ton Ambassador Mk III–class missile craft began in the early 2000s and was funded largely through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. Contract award took place in 2005 and culminated with delivery of the four ships between 2013 and 2015. Total cost in U.S. dollars for the effort eventually totaled more than $1 billion.
the lead ship in her class. U.S. Marine Corps (A. Garcia)
Built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by VT Halter Marine, Ambassador Mk III–class ships measure 205 feet long with a 33-foot beam and 9-foot draft. Construction began on the lead ship, the S. Ezzat, in 2009, and she was launched in 2011. Training for her Egyptian naval officers began at Pensacola, Florida, in July 2013, and she was handed over during a ceremony there on 19 November 2013. Sister F. Zekry was delivered a month later while more extensive training for the crews continued into 2014. Two remaining ships in the class, the M. Fahmy and A. Gad, were delivered to Alexandria, Egypt, on board a U.S. transport ship in June 2015.
The missile boats were built with steel hulls and aluminum superstructures. Signature reduction and stealth were incorporated throughout the design to diminish radar cross-section, radiated noise, and infrared and visual signatures. Although lacking a helicopter landing deck or other aviation capabilities, the ships are armed with eight Harpoon Block II missiles in two quad launchers amidships. The Block II variant of the Harpoon is enhanced for littoral operations and provides the warships with both antiship and land-attack capabilities. A multipurpose 3-inch gun is mounted forward, and a 21-cell Mk 31 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher is located aft. The Phalanx Block 1B close-in weapon system is housed near the Harpoon missiles, while mounts for 7.62-mm machine guns can be found port and starboard.
One rigid-hull inflatable boat is carried for interceptor duties. Sensors on board the four warships include an MRR-3D air- and surface-search radar, navigational radars, electro-optic sensors, and tracking systems. The ships have TACTICOS combat management systems and an electronic support measures/electronic countermeasures system linked with four Super Barricade decoy launchers for self-defense.
The Ambassador Mk III class carries a crew of 36–40 personnel and is powered by four diesel engines and four shafts providing a top speed of 41 knots and a range of 2,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. Intended to provide maritime security and protection in regional waterways such as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, members of the class operated in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as part of the Arab coalition against the Houthis in Yemen in 2015. In recent years, the missile craft have taken part in numerous international naval exercises and remain active conducting coastal patrol, surveillance, and protection of Egypt’s territorial waters.
