For operation with the Egyptian National Railways, Henschel secured itself the license rights from EMD to build diesel locomotives based on the F-series. Like these, Henschel built the locomotives with the so-called “Bulldog Nose”, but with a driver's cab at each end. As with the American models, the three-axle bogies only had two traction motors. The Henschel locomotives were thus similar to the Norwegian NoHAB diesels in terms of their origin and appearance.

The first model in the series was the KK16, of which 13 were built in 1957. It was designed as a freight locomotive and was primarily intended to haul ore trains through the Nile Valley. EMD had previously supplied the G8s to Egypt, which were powered by an eight-cylinder 567-series two-stroke diesel. The KK16 received two of these engines, each with 910 hp, and was compatible with the G8 in multiple operation.