VT Halter Marine Holds Keel Laying Ceremony For Egyptian Navy FMC

(Pascagoula, MS., April 7, 2010) -- VT Halter Marine Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), proudly held the laying of the keel ceremony today for the first of four Egyptian Navy Fast Missile Craft (EN FMC) currently under construction for the US Navy. The EN FMC project is valued at approximately US$807m.

"The U.S. Navy's procurement of these ships for our Egyptian partners represents a commitment to continued cooperation between the United States and Egypt," said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bill Landay, Program Executive Officer for ships. PEO Ships is managing the acquisition of the Fast Missile Craft on behalf of the Egyptian Navy.

A long-standing tradition, the keel laying marks the ceremonial beginning of the ship's construction. Forming the backbone of a ship, the keel is the first part of the vessel to be constructed. The key part of the ceremony was the "Authentication of the Keel" which symbolizes the verification of the keel being 'truly and fairly laid'. Delivering that honor was the Ship Authenticator, Vice Admiral Mohab Mameesh, Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Navy. The Vice Admiral's signature was welded into the keel of the EN FMC memorializing this milestone.

The first EN FMC is expected to be delivered in mid 2012. The Fast Missile Craft vessels are designed to perform coastal patrol, surveillance, interdiction, surface strike, and naval battle group support for the 21st century. These vessels will allow the Republic of Egypt to maintain the security of its coastal regions for both itself and friendly countries, while denying access to the areas by any potential adversaries. The vessels will be approximately 62m in length and will incorporate ship signature control technology. High speed and maneuverability are two of the ship's primary assets to fulfill these roles. The vessels will also incorporate numerous combat system assets and electronic sensors that give them capabilities in anti-aircraft, anti-surface, and electronic warfare.

"The keel laying ceremony marks a major milestone event in the construction schedule for the first of four EN FMC. We are pleased that construction is underway for this very significant program." ~ Bill SKINNER, Chief Executive Officer, VT Halter Marine

Source : Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX: ST Engg)