The Searanger is in service with the Egyptian Navy's new Lürssen patrol vessels. (Egyptian Ministry of Defence)
The US Department of Defense announced on 29 September that it has placed a USD20 million contract on Egypt's behalf for an undisclosed number of Rheinmetall Oerlikon Searanger 20 mm naval gun systems.
It said 90% of the work will be performed at American Rheinmetall Systems' facility in Biddeford, Maine, while the rest will take place in Egypt. The contract is expected to be completed by March 2024.
The Searanger is a lightweight, fully stabilised, remotely operated weapon station with a 20 mm KAE autocannon, which is the latest version of the widely used KAA. It has day/night electro-optical sensors with an integrated video-tracking function. The cannon has a range of up to 2 km and can use Rheinmetall's new SAPPIE-T ammunition, which has armoured-piercing characteristics, but contains no explosive, making it safe and easy to transport and store.
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