Article Posted on : - Mar 31, 2010

An artist's impression of Fast Missile Craft (FMC). A file photo

SINGAPORE (BNS): US shipyard VT Halter Marine of ST engineering has been awarded an undefinitised contract of USD 165 mn by the US Navy for the construction of a fourth Fast Missile Craft (FMC) for the Egyptian Navy.

VT Halter Marine has begun construction on the first FMC and is expected to deliver it by mid 2012. The Work on the fourth FMC will commence by mid 2011 and its delivery is expected by the end of 2013.

The FMC is designed to perform coastal patrol, surveillance, interdiction, surface strike and naval battle group support for the 21st century. The vessels will allow the Republic of Egypt to maintain the security of its coastal regions for both itself and friendly countries.

Each vessel will be approximately 62m in length and will incorporate ship signature control technology with high speed and maneuverability. The vessels will also integrate numerous combat system assets and electronic sensors, equipping it with capabilities in anti-aircraft, anti-surface and electronic warfare.

"VT Halter Marine is honoured to be awarded this additional contract by the US Navy to build the fourth state-of-the-art Fast Missile Craft. This is a glowing testament of our capabilities by an esteemed customer and speaks volume of the trust in this successful partnership - we are working towards the delivery of all four vessels to exceed the US Navy's expectations, “CHANG Cheow Teck, President, ST Marine said in an official news release.

On 1st December 2005, ST Engineering was awarded a contract of USD 29 mn for the construction of the initial Phase I functional design of FMC from US Navy. Later, two subsequent contract modifications were awarded in November 2006 and June 2007 respectively for procuring the FMC project's long lead items which added USD 206.5 mn to the contract.