A Meko class frigate.The Algerian Navy has commissioned the first of two Meko frigates at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Germany, and will take delivery of the vessel in the coming months.

The first frigate was named Harrad (Deterrent) during the commissioning on 23 February at the TKMS yard in Kiel, reports Navy Recognition.

It will apparently be delivered to Oran in Algeria in late April/early May. The vessel (910) was launched on 5 December 2014.

The second frigate (hull number 911) was launched in December 2015 and will be delivered in 2017. The two vessels, with options for more, were ordered in March 2012.

Algeria’s Meko frigates are equipped with the Saab Sea Giraffe AMB (Agile Multi-Beam) 3D surveillance radar; Saab CEROS 200 radar/electro-optical (EO) fire control directors; Thales UMS4132 Kingklip sonar; OTO Melara 127/64 LW (Lightweight) 127 mm naval gun; MSI-Defence 30 mm cannons; Rheinmetall Defence MASS softkill decoy launchers; Denel Dynamics Umkhonto-IR missiles; MU90 torpedoes and Saab/Diehl Defence RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles.

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