US Senate backs arms sale worth $2.2 B to Egypt

CAIRO – 11 March 2022: The US Senate has rejected a request of blocking an arms deal of selling C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft and related equipment to Egypt, at a cost of $2.2 billion, Reuters reported.

 

 

 

The request was rejected by 81 Senators against 18 others including Republican Senator Rand Paul who submitted the rejected request.

 

 

 

The US Department of Defense in a statement on January 25, 2022 said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.”

 

 

 

“The Government of Egypt has requested to purchase twelve (12) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with four (4) each Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (installed); twelve (12) Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares); thirty (30) Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS Security Devices (including 6 spares); and seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2) (including 3 spares). Also included are AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders; AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (MWS); AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS); AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR); AN/AAQ-22 (STAR SAFIRE 380); secure communications, cryptographic equipment, and GPS-aided precision navigation equipment; publications and technical documentation; software and mission critical resources; aircraft support and equipment; unclassified return and repair; integration and testing; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support,” the statement said.

 

 

 

It added that the sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing airlift support for its forces by moving supplies, equipment, and people, thus strengthening its capacity in the security and humanitarian arena.

 

 

 

The statement continued that Egypt would use the aircraft for maritime patrol missions and search and rescue missions in the region. “Egypt, which already operates a mix of legacy C-130s, will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and services into its armed forces,” the statement continued.