DUBAI — The Egyptian military is expected to receive delivery of 10 AH-64D Block II Apache Longbow helicopters within the coming two weeks, according to Egyptian military sources.
The expected delivery of the assault helicopters comes after an almost five-year wait for the Egyptian military and just in time to boost its counterinsurgency operations in Sinai.
Retired Egyptian Air Defence Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Morsi confirmed the delivery to Defense News, stating that shipping procedures to transfer the helicopters have already begun.
“I can confirm that the helicopters are ready for delivery and it will not be before a week,” said the strategic researcher at Nasser Military Academy’s center for strategic studies.
A request handed to the US Congress on May 22, 2009, from the Egyptian government sought 12 Apaches with equipment, parts, training and support for an estimated $820 million.
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the request included 27 T700-GE-701D engines, 36 Modernized Targeting Acquisition and Designation Systems/Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 28 M299 Hellfire Longbow missile launchers, 14 AN/ALQ-144(V)3 infrared jammers, and 14 AN/APR-39B(V)2 radar signal detecting sets.
The prime contractors are Boeing, General Electric and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The main reason for the delay, said Morsi, was the suspension of US military aid to Egypt in the aftermath of the ousting of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi during a popular uprising in July 2013.
“The delay was due to the military aid being stopped by the US,” he said. “According to the aid agreement, the Egyptian government does not receive any cash for military purchases but the US government directly pays contractors to provide the equipment.
“President [Barack] Obama resumed the aid and the helicopters will be the first items to be delivered,” Morsi added.
According to State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, US Secretary of State John Kerry informed Egypt’s foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, of the decision in a telephone call, crediting the Egyptian government with sustaining its strategic relationship with the United States and fulfilling its obligations to Israel.
According to the Pentagon, the president’s decision to deliver the Apaches was in support of Egypt’s counterterrorism operations in the Sinai.
“This will boost our operations in Sinai due to the bad weather conditions that we have been experiencing and technical repairs the Air Force has to go through,” Morsi said. “The Air Force was involved in the operations and the speedy delivery will increase our force’s capabilities in Sinai,” he said.
Source: http://www.defensenews.com/article/2014 ... -Two-Weeks
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