Egypt will buy several billion dollars worth of military aircraft and other military equipment in Western Europe during the next few years in the course of a major rearmament program in which France reportedly will be the principal supplier.
Negotiations are underway for the sale to Egypt of 60 Mirage-2000 combat planes worth close to $2.5 billion, aircraft described as faster and more powerful than the American F-16. Egypt also plans to buy a dozen naval units in Britain and electronic equipment in Italy. French Defense Minister Charles Hernu, who is scheduled to visit Egypt next month, will meet there with President Hosni Mubarak and Defense Minister Mohammed Abughazala for extensive arms negotiations.
In addition to the Mirage jets, Egypt is said to want to buy France’s new Matra “Super 530” air-to-air missiles and laser-guides Durandal bombs for attacks on military airports and landing strips. Formal negotiations began yesterday when Gen. Jacques Mitterrand, head of France’s largest aeronautical company, Aerospatials, met with Mubarak in Cairo. He is the younger brother of French President Francois Mitterrand.
Earlier this year, Egypt bought 30 Alpha jet ground support planes from France, 28 Mirage-3 fighter-bombers and 14 Mirage F-1 interceptors. The fighter-bombers were paid for by Saudi Arabia before the two countries severed diplomatic relations over the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Egypt has also acquired 40 F-16 combat planes in the United States, delivery of which begins next spring; French Gazelle helicopters equipped with Matra anti-tank missiles; and land-to-sea Matra “Otomat” missiles.
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