GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Patrol vessel ·Vosper Thornycroft

Ramadan-class

Egyptian missile boat, introduced in 1981, reaches a speed of 37 knots, propelled by four diesel engines. Key figures: displacement 312 tons, length 52 m, top speed 37 knots, crew 40, built 6. In service with 1 navy — Egypt (6).

Displacement
312tons
Max speed
37knots
Ships built
6
Technical Specifications
SubtypeMissile boat
Displacement312 tons
Crew40 members
Width7.6 m (24.9 ft)
Length52.0 m (170.6 ft)
Propulsion

4 × MTU 20V538 TB 91 diesel engines, 18,000 bhp (13,423 kW), 4 shafts

UnitsRamadan, El Kadesseya, Khyber, El Yarmouk, Badr, Hettein
Performance
Range 2,000 nm at 15 knots
Maximum speed37 knots
Armament
Armament
  • 2 × twin Otomat Mk2 SSM
  • 1 × 76 mm (3 in) OTO Melara DP gun
  • 1 × twin 40 mm (1.6 in) Breda AA gun
Operators
🇪🇬 Egypt
Similar Ships
Ramadan-class vs

Description

The Ramadan class consists of six missile boats built for the Egyptian Navy by Vosper Thornycroft in the United Kingdom. Ordered in 1977 and based on a British design, the vessels were constructed in Portchester between 1978 and 1982. The class entered commission starting in 1981.

The vessels utilize a propulsion system comprising MTU diesel engines and four shafts. The electronic suite includes Marconi air and surface search radars, fire control radars, and intercept radar. Fire control is managed through the Marconi Sapphire system and Lawrence Scott optical directors. These sensors integrate with a central automated data system. For electronic defense, the ships carry a Decca-Racal jammer and Protean chaff dispensers. Armament consists of Otomat surface-to-surface missile launchers, an OTO Melara dual-purpose gun, and Breda anti-aircraft guns.

The Egyptian Navy received the vessels in three pairs between November 1981 and December 1982. In 1983, El Yarmouk participated in Exercise Bright Star. The class has undergone several system modernizations since entering service. Radar components were updated in 1998 and 2001, while communication systems were upgraded in 2000. A refit beginning in 2007 replaced the Ferranti CAAIS data system with the Nautis-3 command-and-control system and transitioned the primary missile armament from Mk1 to Mk2 variants. All six boats remain on the Egyptian Navy's strength, though El Kadesseya was withdrawn from operational service in 2000 and the lead ship Ramadan in 2005, leaving four in active use. El Kadesseya was removed from service in 2000, followed by the lead vessel, Ramadan, in 2005.

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 6 August 2026. Suggest a change

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ship is the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class is a patrol vessel (Missile boat) built by Egypt.
What is the displacement of the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class has a displacement of 312 tons.
What is the maximum speed of the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class has a maximum speed of 37 knots (68 km/h).
What is the range of the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class has a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 km) at 15 knots.
How many crew members serve on the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class has a crew complement of 40 personnel.
How many Ramadan-class ships have been built?
6 vessels of the Ramadan-class have been built.
Which countries operate the Ramadan-class?
The Ramadan-class is operated by Egypt.
Latest Data Updates
  1. AUG 62026 Updated Description updated
  2. APR 72026 Updated Description updated in a site-wide editorial pass
  3. JAN 182026 Updated Number built added; type, units and 5 more fields updated