The United States Department of Defense, the Pentagon, stated that the State Department has approved Egypt’s potential purchase of a light tactical vehicle structure and its equipment, as well as patrol equipment.
The Pentagon added that the estimated cost for the vehicle structure and associated equipment is up to $200 million, while the cost of the patrol equipment is estimated to reach $129 million.
The US State Department has approved a contract for the sale of equipment and production materials used in the manufacture and outfitting of CPC-28 coastal patrol and transit boats for the Egyptian Armed Forces. These equipment and production inputs are used in the local manufacturing of 28-meter long coastal patrol boats from Swiftships, which Egypt is building through the Egyptian Shipbuilding and Repair Company and the Naval Forces Arsenal.
The US saw a significant increase in military weapons sales to foreign governments, totaling nearly $51.9 billion in 2022. This surge, a 49% jump from the previous year, was largely driven by U.S. allies in Europe arming themselves in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Notable sales included Indonesia’s purchase of Boeing-made F-15ID aircraft worth $13.9 billion, a $1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, and Poland’s order of General Dynamics-made M1 Abrams tanks valued at up to $6 billion. Additionally, Germany ordered $8.4 billion worth of Lockheed Martin-made F-35 aircraft. The sales were scrutinized, especially those to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates due to their involvement in the Yemen war. The U.S. aims to streamline the Foreign Military Sales process to expedite these transactions and sees security aid as a tool for strengthening international relationships and boosting the domestic defense industry
In a separate transaction in early 2021, the U.S. approved the sale of new military equipment to Egypt at an estimated cost of $197 million. This sale included Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles and other related equipment. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that this sale would support the Egyptian Navy’s Fast Missile Craft ships and provide enhanced area defense capabilities over Egypt’s coastal areas and the Suez Canal. This equipment aligns with Egypt’s existing capabilities, as the country already operates previously procured RAM Block 1A missiles. The sale was positioned as beneficial to U.S. foreign policy and national security interests as well, with no expected change in the basic military balance in the region or adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness. The principal contractor for this sale was Raytheon Missiles & Defense, based in Tucson, Arizona.
