Authoritative Israeli sources today estimated that within a short time Egypt will be in possession of a war machine of a quantity hitherto unknown in the Middle East.
Egypt’s war machine will include, before 1956 is over, a total of 700 tanks of superior power, like the British Valentine and the Russian Stalin tank. That is twice as many tanks as Egypt has now. Self-propelled guns are being increased, and the number of jet fighters will grow from 150 to 300.
Additionally, Egypt is acquiring 20 jet bombers, 60 heavy anti-aircraft guns, and eight submarines. Still further increasing Arab strength will be quantities of arms being shipped to Syria and Iraq, thus increasing materially the armed force striking power of these Arab nations. Syria is getting 85 tanks to add to the 100 it has now, and is receiving a dozen heavy anti-aircraft guns. Iraq, being armed by the Western powers, is receiving 70 heavy anti-aircraft guns, 50 tanks and 15 jet fighters.
Information reaching here reveals that Egypt has already started building its army concentrations in the Gaza strip “jumping off” area facing Israel. It is estimated that nine regiments of Egyptian regular troops–comprising one-fourth of the country’s total army strength–are now stationed in Gaza.
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