Latest actor of the Middle East’s Arms Race, EGYPT

Egypt ratcheted up their military expenses by compared to previous year. If Mohammed Morsiadministration which lasted a short time during these revolutions that were entitled as Arab Spring which commence at 2011are excluded, it can be said that this situation lasted to very this day. In this context, examining from which countries Egypt received weapons, what kind of weapons it received, what kind of reform their army with 400.000 soldier were subjected to, gains importance in order to understand this country’s plans regarding their military future.

Several countries immediately ceased their military relations with Egypt after Mohammed Morsi who was a member of Muslim brotherhood was democratically elected during 2012 presidential elections. However after Abdel Fattah el-Sisitook over the administration by a military coup in 2013, Notably with USA, several countries reinitialized their military agreements with Egypt. In fact during this period USA announced that they will continue their 1.3 billion dollars’ worth of investments and delivered 10 Apache helicopters in November.

Once again in September 2014 a 3.5 billion dollars of defensive alliance treaty was signed and president of Russian federal service for military-technical cooperationAleksandrFormin stated that as part of this treaty several Russian weapons will be delivered to Russia and Russian-Egyptian military relations will resume as it used to be 30 years ago. As part of this treaty, Russia announced that they were going to ship anti-tank guided missiles 9m113m, Tor-M1 missiles, Buk-M2E type SAM missiles (medium-range surface-to-air missile system), S-300VM "Antey-2500" (Russian anti-ballistic missile system), Mil MI-8/ Hip helicopter (mostly used as transport helicopter),Mil Mi-17 Transport helicopter and Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum type (short range 4th generation fighter jet). It was stated that 2 billion of this treaty was fundedby Saudi Arabia which was the critical supporter of the Egypt during the military coup.

France who was one of the most influential military partners of Egypt in December 2015 signed a deal which includes purchase of Assault Mirage type fighter jets and light cruiser warships. As part of the deal that was signed between Egypt and France, it has been announced that Egypt’s going to receive 24 AssaultRafale type 4th generation twin-turbo jets and a combat plane with ground support and nuclear deterrence features. The reasons why these jets that were purchased from France were debated. Even though there are controversies about the issue, it can be said that Egypt decided to do this for the sake of diversifying their fleet and in a sense recompense France who helped diplomatically. Nature of this agreement has later on been expanded and by adding the purchase of cruiser type warplanes and smart ammunition to it, the cost of the military expenses raised to 7 billion dollars.

It has been reported that shipping of S-300VM anti-ballistic defense system is started in parts.  Varying from the position of the defense system that was deployed, Egypt became protected against long and short-range missiles. Once again, the military cooperation treaty that was signed between Russia and Egypt can pave the way for Egypt to advance their domestic arms production. After problems between Greek Cypriot state and Russia have been solved, they are agreed to do a militaryoperation on region and their relations grow even stronger. Again in this period, Egypt ordered a Kamov Ka-52K Alligator (hybrid fighting helicopter designed to eliminate armored vehicles, tanks and targets on the ground) from Russia. It has been agreed upon by the both parties that Russia will deliver 46 MIG-29 type fighter jet to Egypt as part of a deal that was signed in May.

Due to the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has been decided not deliver the medium size Mistral type warships to Russia. They were supposed to be purchased by Russia in summer of 2015. During this time, subject of selling these warplanes to Russia has been brought up to attention and negotiations have been made between Cairo and Paris regarding this matter. France had to pay 950 million euro compensation to Russia for not fulfill their parts of agreement by not delivering warplanes in august 5. Therefore, it became definite that delivery was not going to be made.

Egypt’s arms deal with USA especial during the Sisi administration increased progressively. After Egypt increased their military agreements with Russia, Washington continued to maintain their support sign arms deal with Cairo in order to prevent further Russia-Egypt convergence. Hence, despite USA’s negligence towards Egypt-Russia convergence, they decided to provide modern version of AGM-114k Hellfire (ASM) air-to-ground missiles that can be utilized on the Apache Helicopters that were supplied previously, AGM-114R3 version and training support within the frame of a 57 million dollar deal. Washington announced that 8, F-16 type fight jets have been delivered to Egypt.

During this time Egypt also maintained their contact with Germany in order to make arms deals with them. Commander of Egyptian Navy, UsamaMünirRabia announced that they are going to receive the submarines which they ordered from Germany in previous years. The 209/1400 type submarines which can dive 500m, has the capacity of 30 crew member are part of the Egypt’s plans to dominate Mediterranean Sea. It can also be said that Egypt is seeking to make up the shortage in their fleet, as turkey has 14 of the same submarine in their fleets.  It has been announced that 1 billion 840 million dollars is going to be spent within the scope of this deal.

On the other hand Egypt signed another deal with France in order to advance their fleet capacity. With their 4 Gowind type Corvette order from France, Egypt has spent 1 billion dollar to this importation. Following this deal, Egypt announced that they also ordered FREMM type moderate-size versatile warplanes for which they are going to pay approximately 6 billion dollars. Additionally, another deal was signed in October between France and Egypt for Mistral type warships (helicopter carrier) that was initially constructed to sell Russia, to sell Egypt instead and price tag was set to be 920 million euro. Frigate sailed to be delivered to Egypt by France in June 2015.

As of June 2016, Egypt improved and modernized its navy by adding French Gowind type warships, French FREMM type medium-size warships, German 209/1400 type submarines and its aircraft fleet with French DasaultRafales and Russian made MIG-29 fighter jets and American F-16s, Apache helicopters and fighter and transfer helicopters such as Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17. Egypt army equipped these military vehicles with smart ammunitions such as American made Hellfire and Russian made Tor and Buk. Hence, they made considerable progress in their defense technologies. Egypt yet again applied to purchase 20 American Harpoon Block II submarine torpedoes in May 2016.

Egyptian government signed 3.7 billion dollars’ worth of military importation deal with Russiait includes the purchase of Ka-52 Alligator fighter helicopters. It has been announced that necessary loan for this deal to actualize has been granted by French government. It’s remarkable that it was France who was the primary financial and military supporter of Egypt who plans to deploy helicopters that was purchased from Russia on mistral ships that were purchased from France. An indicator of the close relation between these two countries was the Ramses simulated military operation that was carried out in 2016.

Russia announced that by 2018 they are going to ship 50 Ka-52 fighter helicopters, 25 MIG-35S type fighter jet to Egypt within the frame of 3 billion dollars deal. In addition to this, it also has been announced that delivery of the Rafale warplanes that was purchased from France and medium-size FREMM warships and all Mistrals are going to be concluded by 2018. When considered from a certain perspective, despite Egypt’s close relationships with USA, France and Russia are going to be a close ally of Egyptian Army’s military forces in the near future. It can also be said that China and Germany will be increasing their arm spellings to Egypt. It can be said that armament mentality that arised due to the violence within Sina region, domination race in Mediterranean and cross border safety concerns will change anytime soon. In this sense, more military expenses are expected to be made, and deals to be signed and Egyptian army’s capacity in this respect is expected to improve.

This article was published in Ortadoğu Analiz journal with the title of "Latest actor of the Middle East’s Arms Race, EGYPT”