In what has been described as an unconventional move, Egypt is using the Avenger self-propelled surface-to-air missile system to protect its assault ships.

The system is designed to be a mobile, short-range air defence protection system for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It is not designed for naval use.

Oddly, the class also carry their former Russian armament int he form of 3M-47 Ghibka surface-to-air missile turrets.

in 2015, Egypt and France agreed a deal for Egypt to acquire two Mistral class vessels originally built for Russia for roughly 950 million euros, including the costs of training Egyptian crews.

Speaking on RMC Radio, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defence Minister at the time, said that Egypt had paid the whole price for the helicopter carriers. Egypt also purchased the Russian helicopters that were planned for the ships.

Egypt operates two ships of this class, the Gamal Abdel Nasser (ex-Vladivostok) and Anwar El Sadat (ex-Sevastopol).

The video where this information first came ot light was posted by the Egyptian Ministry of Defence and can be viewed below.