German Navy Will Train Algerian Sailors

Jul. 17, 2012 - By ALBRECHT MÜLLER Defense news

Bonn — The German Navy will train Algerian sailors to safely operate ships and helicopters in maritime traffic, according to the German Defense Ministry, which confirmed that such a contract had been signed with its Algerian counterpart.

This deal again stirred rumors that the North African country has bought two warships from German dockyards.

German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported July 15 that in March, a contract for two Meko A200-type frigates together with maritime helicopters had been signed between ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Algeria. According to the paper, the deal is worth more than 400 million euros ($489.58 million).

A spokeswoman for TKMS’ parent company, Thyssen Krupp, said the company would not comment on the report. The naval training deal is seen as adding credence to the report.

On April 5, the Algerian newspaper Elkhabar cited what it said was a letter from Algeria’s Defense Ministry to the company concerning a contract No. 674/889, signed March 26, confirming the purchase of two Meko A200 frigates.

When asked, a spokesman of the German Ministry of Economics and Technology said the ministry would not comment on the possible receipt of a request for an export permit necessary for such a deal.

“The federal government does principally not give any information about the preliminary inquiry on the approval potential of certain export projects,” he said.

According to the German Defense Ministry, the training of members of the Algerian forces by the German Navy will take place in Germany and on the high seas. All expenses will be covered by Algeria.