Weapons for Egypt
Since Al-Sissi overthrew Morsi in 2013, the US has halted military aid to Egypt. Cairo has been forced to turn elsewhere for arms. It has purchased some Rafale fighters from France, but as in the past, needs a large quantity of weapons at more reasonable prices. Lately, Al-Sissi has been trying to obtain Russian weapons.
A shift to Russian arms makes great sense, inasmuch as Israel was always Egypt's foremost potential enemy. Cairo can never hope to match Israel by relying on its staunch backer, the US. Ergo, Al-Sissi is exploring the Russian option. Egypt is however, treading warily, not wishing to upset Washington and Jerusalem too much yet.
Just recently, there was a report about Egypt acquiring S-300 surface to air missiles. An Egyptian mentioned a threat from the east--Islamists or Iran--as the reason for the S-300s. This is absurd since Iran is too far away to attack Egypt and the missiles are useless against terrorists. The only real use Egypt has for antiaircraft missiles is countering Israeli air power. The "eastern" claim was just to minimize potential opposition. Even the mention of S-300s could be deceptive, if Cairo is really due to receive more potent S-400s.
Perhaps equally deceptive is another announcement of Russian weapons for Egypt. Cairo has supposedly ordered 46 MIG-29 fighters. It's hard to believe Egypt would buy a fighter so inferior to Israel's F-15s, F-16s and future F-35s. Al-Sissi needs something more advanced, and may well get it. Last year, there were discussions about supplying Egypt with MIG-35 jets. Perhaps "MIG-29s" are just a cover for the more modern aircraft.
What Egypt really needs is the T-50 jet and Armata tank. Strapped for cash, Russia has been forced to cut back purchases of both. Cairo should try to replace the Russian orders, if necessary paying for the arms with money siphoned from Libya or perhaps wealthy Gulf states.
MIG-35
A shift to Russian arms makes great sense, inasmuch as Israel was always Egypt's foremost potential enemy. Cairo can never hope to match Israel by relying on its staunch backer, the US. Ergo, Al-Sissi is exploring the Russian option. Egypt is however, treading warily, not wishing to upset Washington and Jerusalem too much yet.
Just recently, there was a report about Egypt acquiring S-300 surface to air missiles. An Egyptian mentioned a threat from the east--Islamists or Iran--as the reason for the S-300s. This is absurd since Iran is too far away to attack Egypt and the missiles are useless against terrorists. The only real use Egypt has for antiaircraft missiles is countering Israeli air power. The "eastern" claim was just to minimize potential opposition. Even the mention of S-300s could be deceptive, if Cairo is really due to receive more potent S-400s.
Perhaps equally deceptive is another announcement of Russian weapons for Egypt. Cairo has supposedly ordered 46 MIG-29 fighters. It's hard to believe Egypt would buy a fighter so inferior to Israel's F-15s, F-16s and future F-35s. Al-Sissi needs something more advanced, and may well get it. Last year, there were discussions about supplying Egypt with MIG-35 jets. Perhaps "MIG-29s" are just a cover for the more modern aircraft.
What Egypt really needs is the T-50 jet and Armata tank. Strapped for cash, Russia has been forced to cut back purchases of both. Cairo should try to replace the Russian orders, if necessary paying for the arms with money siphoned from Libya or perhaps wealthy Gulf states.
MIG-35
posted by starman at 4:15 AM
2 comments
