Egypt received the first of two Mistral class helicopter carriers on Thursday from France as part of an agreement signed last year. “We now have advanced capabilities in confronting terrorism within our borders and on our shores … It increases our combat capabilities and our ability to carry out long-term missions at sea…and we are awaiting on the arrival of the second in September,” Defence Minister Sedky Sobhy was quoted by Reuters as saying. Egypt paid EUR 950 mn for the two helicopter carriers. Al Masry Al Youm said the vessel was named Gamal Abdel Nasser, with the one due to be delivered in September to be named Anwar El Sadat. The paper also provided photos and a video from the handover ceremony, whereas ONTV aired footage of the other carrier, Anwar El Sadat. “The LHD Gamal Abdel Nasser will leave Saint-Nazaire in the next few days with the associated support vessels … Before sailing to its home port of Alexandria, the helicopter carrier Gamal Abdel Nasser will participate in a joint exercise between the Egyptian and French Navies,” Defense World reported.