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Germany concludes major naval arms package to Egypt, despite opposition

Egypt boosts its naval power after Germany agrees to sell naval equipment to Cairo amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas resources.
The Type 702 Berlin-class supplier ship of the Deutsche Marine German navy "Berlin" arrives at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany, on September 17, 2020. - The vessel had left Germany in April 2020 to take part in the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 mission at the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo by Patrik Stollarz / AFP) (Photo by PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
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Germany agreed Nov. 2 to sell naval equipment to Egypt, including nine patrol boats and a coastal defense ship, according to a letter by German Minister of Economy Peter Altmaier addressed to the economic committee in the German parliament, according to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

The boat deal, estimated at 130 million euros (about $155 million), was concluded in 2018 by the German boat manufacturer Lürssen, and it was most likely destined initially for Saudi Arabia. But the alleged sale to Saudi Arabia was dropped due to Germany’s arms embargo on the kingdom.

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