US administration clears $2.2 billion sales of aircraft and defense systems to Egypt

Africa, News, US January 28, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. administration approves a $2.2 billion potential sale of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft, air defense radar systems, and related equipment to Egypt.

U.S. Department of State statement said, the C-130J aircraft and related equipment are expected to be sold to Egypt at the cost of approximately $2.2 billion, while the radar systems and related equipment would be sold at the cost of $355 million.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale on January 25.

According to the DSCA release, the sale of the U.S. defense equipment 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 deal will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the DSCA said.

The DSCA release stated that “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).

The request also included “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 DSCA release added.

*^{C-130J-30 Super Hercules. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

The Department of State release highlighted that the “proposed 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 release stated that the transport aircraft would assist with Egypt’s border security, the “interdiction of known terrorist elements”, rapid reaction to internal security threats, as well as humanitarian aid. “Egypt also intends to utilize these 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 release added.

The main contractor of the sales will be the U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia.

Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 is a multirole, multimission, stretch version of the C-130J, aircraft. It has been proven as a highly reliable and affordable airlifted. “The C-130J-30 adds 15 feet to the fuselage, increasing usable space (two more pallets of equipment) in the cargo compartment.” It can fly at the speed of 410 mph at 6,706 meters (22,000 feet), and reach a maximum speed of 660 km/h. The Super Hercules aircraft is 35m in length, with a wingspan of 40m, and has the capacity of a maximum payload of 44,000 pounds (19,958 kilograms).