Italy could sell two FREMMs to Egypt: an opportunity for the Navy?

(To Tiziano Ciocchetti)
04/03/20

There is a serious possibility that the last two FREMMs (European Multi-Mission Frigates), Emilio Bianchi e Spartacus Schergat, do not come into line with the Navy.

Their future destination could be in the service of the Egyptian Navy.

The geopolitical role of Italy, in the center of the Mediterranean, requires us to have an efficient and numerically suitable fleet for the threats that loom. A few days ago a new European naval mission was announced (if it is to be realized it is all to be seen) to prevent armaments from reaching the fighting factions in Libya.

Thus, depriving us of two such sophisticated units (sooner or later we will need to deploy a fleet) could prove counterproductive for our interests in the area.

Egypt is the other actor in this affair. We start from an energy discourse (Italy depends on foreign countries as regards energy resources), for some years the North African country has found itself to be - at least on paper - one of the largest exporters of natural gas in the Mediterranean area, and this thanks also to ENI.

The richest deposits are located in the EEZ (Economic Exclusive Zone) of Egypt: only Zohr, the most important gas field off the Egyptian coast, would have an estimated value of over 100 billion euros.

Just having to protect and protect these energy resources forces the North African country to have to project itself onto the sea. In fact Ankara, ignoring the geographical maps, claims the energy resources of the Eastern Mediterranean, threatening not only Egypt but also Greece (Crete has been canceled from the Turkish maps), Israel and Cyprus.

These four countries have formed - for the time being informally - an anti-Turkish military alliance in order to defend everyone's energy interests.

It is clear that the Egyptians need modern naval units, and in a short time, to be able to fight the Ankara Navy.

The Egyptians recently purchased two Landing (Helicopter Dock) class Mistral and a FREMM, the Tahya Misr, from France, in the same way in which he would like to buy the two frigates from Italy.

Last year Egypt signed a contract to purchase two class German light frigates MEKO 200 (formalization on the final financing agreement is missing). But the government of al-Sisi is thinking of reviewing the order, preferring the more sophisticated and performing Italian ships.

Furthermore, Fincantieri and Leonardo could access a market currently occupied by the Franco-German axis, causing a revolution in trade balance, as electronic and armament systems would also be sold together with the ships. In addition, other negotiations would be unlocked, such as the supply of AW-149 medium helicopters, Aermacchi M-346 and other naval units, such as those just sold to Qatar.

But would the Navy accept these disposals? In a very delicate moment for the control of the Mediterranean?

We assume that our Navy has never been completely satisfied by the FREMM (eight are currently in service). Although it was a joint Italian-French program, the needs of Paris prevailed when it was built.

The two FREMMs that should be sold are in multi-role configuration, our Marina needs other units with ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) capability, also due to the lack of specialized fixed-wing aircraft. Last year the first unit of the class was launched Thaon of Revel, part of the PPA (Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Boats) program, which provides for the acquisition of 7 units plus three other optional ones. Therefore two more PPAs could be ordered in ASW configuration (FULL version) to replace the two FREMMs.

However it is necessary to add that, for frigates Schergat's target e White, the Public Administration paid, respectively, 60 and 20/30% of the total value of the order. The Schergat's target already has the crew on board, not to mention the funding of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti of 400 million euros to Egypt. So, for Italy, there would be few economic returns.

The story could also reveal geopolitical aspects. As al-Sisi would begin to badly endure the French interference in the area and put little trust in the military capabilities of General Haftar, unable to conquer Tripoli and now destined to be defensive from the entry into the field of Turkey.

Thanks to ENI, the reconnection of diplomatic relations with Cairo (after the Regeni case) is the only success of our diplomacy in the Mediterranean. Maintaining good relations with this country should be our priority.

Photo: Navy / Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri