حصونة

26 October 1400Z on 8689khz حصونة told ومر that he doesn't expect to tie up for 3 days. That puts the whole Mediterranean in reach unless he means he will be back in Alex in 3 days. We think ومر is Alexandria but all we know about حصونة is that he reports to Destroyer Brigade Command. We will continue to monitor.

28 October / The farther they get from home the higher they go in frequency but we are not seeing that on this mission. This one fits the pattern of a ship patrolling the EEZ demarcation line with Greece and Turkey. We are familiar with that pattern because they used to pass position reports in voice, but the big ships don't do that anymore. Automatic Link Establishment would be the next step, and long overdue. We expect to see حصونة back in Alex tomorrow.

A lot of ships on the move

5222khz, 5566khz, 8600khz, 10519khz, and call signs for everything from MRTP20 to Oliver Hazard Perry frigates. Are they all going to Port Said East?

19 October / A partial explanation for the activity: ENS Alexandria has been training with the Greek Navy. This was probably call sign سائر . ENS Taba has been training with the US Navy in the Red Sea. This was probably either call sign عشري or فارو . ENS Al Zafer F951 has been training with the Spanish Navy. This ship dates to the 1970's and we weren't sure it was still active. Here is a picture showing the SY-1 missile launchers that make this ship so recognizable.

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/10/19/egyptian-us-greek-spanish-navies-carry-out-joint-drills/

ENS Tahya Misr was also training with the French Navy on 15 October and we think مرسل was the call sign.

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites2/mediterranee-orientale-cooperation-franco-egyptienne-pour-la-fregate-de-defense-aerienne-chevalier-paul

21 October / No party at Port Said but they put on a show at Ras El Tin Base to welcome back the ships from "combat missions".

Call sign 81 on 9080khz

We've been hearing 81 send STANAG to فائز and واحد since Sept 19. ENS AL MOEZ 981 was launched in May 2019 but has not yet been commissioned. It appears to be on a shakedown cruise. Expect a commissioning ceremony soon.

7 October / Now we hear كادا sending position reports on 4888 and 5200khz and we think this could be the operational call sign for 981. They expect to return to base Oct 9.

October 21 is the anniversary of the sinking of INS Eilat and would be a likely date for the inauguration ceremony of the new base at Port Said East. Maybe they will also have the commissioning ceremony for Al Moez at that time.

We also expect the new MEKO A200 frigate ENS Al Aziz to set sail from Germany by the end of the year.