Egypt gets US award for F-16s
Mar 9th, 2010 | By Bikya Masr Staff | Category: Egypt, NewsCAIRO: The United States has awarded an initial $213 million order to Lockheed Martin, for long-lead tasks for the production of 20 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Egypt. It comes despite months of wrangling in the US Congress over military aid to the North African nation.
‘This marks the 53rd follow-on buy of F-16s by 14 repeat customers. The aircraft we will deliver to Egypt will join the fleet of more than 4,400 F-16s representing 25 nations,” said John Larson, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16 programs, in a statement from the company.
The new aircraft order includes 16 F-16Cs and 4 F-16Ds, and will supplement the Egyptian Air Force’s (EAF) existing fleet of F-16s and contribute to the modernization of the EAF, media reports stated. The final Egyptian F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2013.
Egypt was the first Arab country to purchase F-16s through a Foreign Military Sales program called Peace Vector.
The Egyptian Air Force received a total of 42 F-16s in its first order in 1980 and since then has purchased five more lots of aircraft, for a total of 240 F-16 Fighting Falcons.
BM
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First, not everyone appreciates the “Arab” + “African” designation. Apparently, everyone seems to forget its Greco-Romano heritage, it’s ancient civilization that predates the Abrahamic faiths, complete with laws and science, and the fact it always has been a major port between Europe and the Silk Road countries, for both military and economic matters. It is very interesting and disappointing that Libya tends to command greater respect from Italy than Egypt.
Second, unless these aircraft are “newly built,” I would be concerned about the metal and fiberglass fatigue of the cabins. The model is old. Do read Jane’s.
Third, are these models appropriate in light of the existing peace with Israel? We know Israel has been uncaring and uncooperative in regards to military and economic issues; these issues have been historically shared problems. It seems that Anwar Sadat died in vain. God forbid.
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