The United States government has authorized the possible sale of new NASAMS air defense systems to equip the Egyptian Armed Forces. This was revealed in a notification issued by the U.S. Department of State to Congress, in order to approve the operation—valued at $4.67 billion—through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Currently, Egypt’s land-based air defense capabilities—both fixed and mobile—rely on a wide array of Soviet/Russian-origin systems. However, in recent years, a significant number of U.S.-origin systems have been incorporated, which are distributed between the Egyptian Army and Air Defense Forces.
According to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Cairo requested the acquisition of new NASAMS air defense systems from the U.S. government to enhance its air defense capabilities.
The authorized package, valued at $4.67 billion, lists RTX Corporation as the main contractor. It includes radar systems such as the AN/MPQ‑64F1 Sentinel, launch systems, fire control systems, and command and control centers. Also notable is the possible sale of a substantial missile package to arm the NASAMS launchers.
According to the official notification, the package includes:
- One hundred (100) AMRAAM-ER missiles
- One hundred (100) AIM-120C-8 missiles
- One hundred fifty (150) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles
Additionally, the sale includes training missiles, guidance sections, spare parts, and components for the aforementioned missile types.
The U.S. Department of State indicated that the authorization aligns with the United States’ foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a key non-NATO ally in the Middle East—considered a contributor to regional political stability and economic progress.
Strengthening Egypt’s F-16 Fleet: A New Opportunity on the Horizon
While the main goal of the transaction is to equip the NASAMS air defense systems, it is worth noting that this marks the first time the United States has authorized the sale of medium- and long-range AMRAAM missiles to Egypt.
This is a significant development, as it could open the door for the Egyptian Air Force’s F-16 fighters—historically reliant on older air-to-air missiles—to finally be equipped with modern BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles authorized for export to U.S. allies and partners.
Unlike other operators and regional allies, Egypt’s F-16s have depended for decades on less capable munitions such as the AIM-7 Sparrow and older AIM-9 Sidewinder variants (M/L), placing them at a disadvantage compared to neighboring air forces.
While this remains a possibility, the State Department’s decision could pave the way for the modernization of Egypt’s fleet of over 200 F-16C/Ds, acquired during the 1980s. At the same time, it represents an effort to prevent Chinese-origin weaponry from gaining a foothold within the Egyptian Armed Forces—a relevant consideration given recent rumors of a possible purchase of J-10CE fighters to replace the Vipers, which was categorically denied by Cairo a few months ago.
It is also worth mentioning that other procurement efforts were abandoned by Egypt, such as the failed acquisition of Su-35S fighters from Russia, which was reportedly canceled due to concerns over potential sanctions imposed by Washington.
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