"Mistral Gamal Abdel Nasser”... A Sea Giant in Service of the Egyptian Fleet
In a historic moment, the shores of Alexandria welcomed one of the most prominent vessels in the modern Egyptian naval fleet — the helicopter carrier Mistral Gamal Abdel Nasser. This warship represents a major leap in the capabilities of the Egyptian Navy and stands as one of the most powerful helicopter carriers in the region.
The carrier boasts a length of 199 meters, a width of 32 meters, and a height of 58 meters. It can sail at a speed of up to 18.5 knots with a draft of 6.5 meters. Its range extends to 10,000 nautical miles (equivalent to 18,000 kilometers) at a cruising speed of 15 knots, with the ability to remain at sea for up to 70 days using specific economic speeds.
Mistral is a fully integrated platform for conducting both naval and aerial combat operations. It allows for mid-mission refueling of helicopters on board, offering exceptional tactical flexibility on the battlefield.
The vessel is divided into 12 decks, five of which are dedicated to aircraft and combat vehicle operations. It can accommodate 12 to 20 helicopters of various models and carry up to 35 armored vehicles, each weighing 13 tons. Its total load capacity reaches 17,000 tons.
The carrier provides exceptional capacity for transporting heavy equipment, with the ability to load up to 55 armored vehicles of different types, or 10 tanks weighing 60 tons each, along with 123 assorted vehicles if no aircraft are loaded. In full evacuation scenarios (no aircraft or landing craft on board), it can carry up to 24 M1A1 tanks at once.
The ship serves as a command and control center equipped with 7 advanced radar systems, firefighting systems, and state-of-the-art command rooms. It also includes a fully equipped field hospital with 69 beds, operating rooms, and medical examination units — making it an ideal platform for relief and rescue operations during crises or conflicts.
French designers of the ship did not overlook fitness and recreation. The carrier features a modern gym, a training hall for special forces and self-defense, and a flight deck that can be used for jogging — with a perimeter roughly equivalent to a football field. It is also equipped with an entertainment broadcasting system that can receive 7 satellite and radio channels via an integrated unit and movable antenna.
The carrier includes nine living quarters and 80 cabins for the crew, accommodating 187 personnel. Additionally, it has 132 cabins for embarked forces, with the capacity to host 481 individuals — offering complete residential facilities for troops participating in extended missions or military exercises.
With its advanced capabilities and comprehensive systems, Mistral Gamal Abdel Nasser represents a strategic milestone that enhances the Egyptian Navy’s ability to execute diverse operations with high efficiency, both in times of peace and crisis. It also affirms Egypt’s active naval presence on both the regional and international stages.
Source:
The Official Website of the Egyptian Presidency
