Coastal patrol ship USS Sirocco transits the Suez Canal on Feb. 10, 2023, en route to Alexandria, Egypt. The U.S. transferred three coastal patrol boats, including the Sirocco, to the Egyptian navy on March 21, 2023. (Victor Murkowski/U.S. Navy)
NAPLES, Italy — The U.S. Navy transferred three of its coastal patrol boats this week to Egypt, deepening security ties between the two countries after a recent visit from Washington’s top diplomat.
The vessels formerly known as USS Hurricane, USS Sirocco and USS Thunderbolt were handed to Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet said in a statement.
The military surplus sale of the Cyclone-class vessels comes less than two months after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Cairo that the Biden administration wants to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership, according to a Reuters report at the time.
Blinken added that although Egypt had made strides regarding human rights issues, the U.S. has ongoing concerns, which he expressed “very clearly,” the report said.
The U.S. considers Egypt a major partner in Middle East security, and that extends to maritime operations.
The Egyptian navy last year took rotational command of Combined Task Force 153, one of four multinational units organized under the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces, based in Bahrain. The task force works to stem the flow of illegal drugs and arms in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Egypt also participated in a U.S.-sponsored maritime security summit this week in Cape Verde, along Africa’s Atlantic coast.
Most of the Cyclone-class vessels were commissioned between 1992 and 1994. Last year, five of the ships were transferred to Bahrain. The lead ship of the class joined the Philippine navy in 2004.
The Navy’s announcement did not say how much Egypt paid for the vessels.
Preparations for Tuesday’s transfer included U.S. and Egyptian sailors working together during a monthlong, 4,000-mile transit around the Arabian Peninsula, with stops in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, according to the Navy.
Training continued after the boats arrived in Alexandria on Feb. 12, with classroom lessons on engineering, search and rescue, damage control and weapons handling, the Navy said.
“This transfer is yet another major milestone in our strong relationship that will enhance regional maritime security for years to come,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
