Washington agrees to sell defense systems to Egypt with continued military aid

WASHINGTON, Feb. 05 (YPA) – The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense announced on Tuesday that the US State Department agreed to the possibility of selling defense systems to Egypt produced by “Lockheed Martin” and “Northrop Grumman.”

The agency said in two separate statements that the approval includes the sale of missile-equipped ship development systems worth $625 million, produced by Lockheed Martin, in addition to the AN/TPS-78 long-range radar systems, produced by Northrop Grumman, with related support services worth up to $304 million.

On the other hand, a few days ago, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order freezing all US foreign aid, which amounted to $68 billion last year, until it is reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with US interests.

It is worth noting that US aid to Egypt has been one of the pillars of the strategic partnership between the two countries since the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in 1979. Since then, Egypt has become the second largest recipient of US aid after Israel, as part of the United States’ commitment to supporting security and stability in the Middle East and strengthening its relations with its regional partners who play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.

Press sources reported that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi may visit the United States in mid-February, after arrangements between Washington and Cairo following the visit of an envoy from the Trump administration and a phone call between the two presidents.

Trump also invited Sisi to visit the White House, following a controversy over the plan to displace Gaza residents, which Egypt met with protests it organized at the Rafah crossing.

YPA