U.S. Greenlights $5 Billion Arms Pact with Egypt: A Strategic Turning Point
The U.S. Department of Defense revealed on Friday that the State Department has sanctioned a prospective arms transaction with Egypt, estimated at over $5 billion.
This agreement primarily entails the enhancement and refurbishment of Abrams tanks, comprising the largest portion of the contract, with an anticipated expenditure of $4.69 billion. The initiative will be carried out by General Dynamics Land Systems.
Furthermore, the transaction incorporates the sale of additional military equipment, including Hellfire missiles valued at $630 million, and precision munitions systems costing $30 million.
This accord is part of a succession of arms transactions between the United States and Egypt in recent years. In 2022, Washington authorized a $2.56 billion military gear package for Cairo, which featured heavy-lift transport aircraft and air defense systems. That same year, in May, the U.S. disclosed the sale of Chinook CH-47F helicopters to Egypt for $2.6 billion.
Egypt is recognized as the sixth-largest importer of arms worldwide during the 2018–2022 timeframe, constituting 4.5% of international arms imports, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Features of Abrams Tanks
The M1 Abrams tank has served as the U.S. military’s primary combat tank since its launch in 1980 and is regarded as one of the most formidable tanks globally.
In 1992, Egypt manufactured its inaugural Abrams tank at Factory 200, as per the state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper. By 1994, Egypt had finalized the production of its initial 100 tanks of this type, with ongoing efforts to enhance local production components ever since.
Abrams tanks are celebrated for their effectiveness in confronting other tanks and breaching enemy defenses. They are meticulously engineered to navigate efficiently across open landscapes.
