Egypt Opens Formal Talks With Spain for F110-Class Frigates as Naval Modernisation Accelerates

Cairo/Madrid | January 6, 2026 — Egypt has formally opened discussions with Spain over the potential acquisition of the F110-class guided-missile frigate, marking a significant new step in the long-term modernisation of the Egyptian Navy’s surface combat fleet. The development was reported on January 6, 2026, indicating that Cairo has moved beyond preliminary interest and entered structured talks with Madrid following earlier technical and feasibility assessments.

According to available information, the discussions stem from a procurement request submitted by Egypt in 2025, after detailed evaluations of operational requirements, cost, and compatibility with existing naval doctrine. The talks are currently focused on capability development, technology transfer, and possible industrial participation, rather than final commercial terms. At this stage, no contract has been signed, and no confirmation exists regarding the number of ships, total cost, or delivery timeline.

Spain’s F110: A New-Generation Frigate Enters Export Consideration

The F110-class frigate—also known as the Bonifaz class—is Spain’s newest surface combatant, developed by Navantia for the Spanish Navy. The class is designed to replace the aging Santa María-class frigates, which have been in service since the 1980s.

Spain approved the F110 programme in 2019, with a total budget of approximately €4.3 billion, covering five ships. This places the estimated unit cost at around €860 million per frigate, including advanced sensors, combat systems, and long-term support. Construction is underway at Navantia’s Ferrol shipyard, with the first vessel, F-111 Bonifaz, launched on September 11, 2025. Delivery to the Spanish Navy is scheduled for 2028, followed by one ship per year through the early 2030s. Importantly for Egypt, three hulls are already under construction, meaning the design is firmly in active serial production rather than at a prototype stage.

Design and Performance: Built for High-End Escort Warfare

The F110 is a multi-mission escort frigate with a strong emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), while retaining credible air-defence and surface-strike capabilities. The ship displaces approximately 6,100 tonnes, measures 145 metres in length, and has an 18-metre beam with a draught of around 5 metres, placing it among the largest and heaviest frigates currently being built in Europe.

Propulsion follows a CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas) configuration, centred on a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine paired with four MTU 4000 diesel engines. Power is transmitted to controllable-pitch propellers, enabling both quiet electric cruising for ASW operations and high-speed dash capability. Maximum speed exceeds 35 knots, equivalent to roughly 65 km/h, a notable figure for a ship of this size.

The frigate is designed for high operational availability, with a core crew of around 150 personnel. It can remain at sea for up to 240 operational days per year, and its maintenance concept allows up to 18 months between major dockyard periods, a feature particularly attractive for navies operating across wide maritime spaces.

Why the F110 Matters for Egypt

Egypt’s interest in the F110 comes as part of a broader strategy to build a balanced, blue-water-capable navy capable of operating in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and wider Eastern Mediterranean gas zone. Over the past decade, Cairo has pursued an unusually diverse naval procurement policy, acquiring major surface combatants from France, Italy, Germany, and Russia.

The F110 would represent Spain’s first major naval export to Egypt and would offer Cairo access to a cutting-edge European frigate design optimised for submarine detection, network-centric warfare, and long-endurance deployments. The ongoing discussions reportedly include industrial cooperation elements, which could align with Egypt’s ambition to expand domestic shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities.

Current Strength of the Egyptian Navy

As of 2026, the Egyptian Navy is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful naval forces in the Middle East and Africa. Its surface fleet includes over 150 vessels, among them two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, four MEKO A-200 frigates, one FREMM frigate, multiple Gowind-class corvettes, and a large number of missile boats and patrol craft. The submarine arm operates Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines, providing Egypt with a credible undersea deterrent alongside its surface combatants.

Despite this numerical strength, Egypt continues to focus on qualitative upgrades, particularly in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and networked command-and-control, areas where the F110-class is specifically designed to excel.

Outlook

While the discussions with Spain remain at an exploratory and evaluative stage, their timing is notable. With the F110 now physically taking shape in Spanish shipyards and Egypt actively reviewing next-generation frigate options, the programme has emerged as a serious contender in Cairo’s future fleet plans. Any eventual agreement would not only deepen Egypt–Spain defence ties but also further underscore Egypt’s determination to field a modern, high-end surface fleet capable of operating across multiple strategic theatres.