American intelligence reports which confirm the continued build-up of sophisticated Russian defenses in Egypt are causing the Nixon administration increasing concern regarding the Kremlin’s long-term intentions in the Middle East, it was reported here today. American sources report the deployment of SAM-6 missile batteries at the Aswan Dam and at airfields used mainly, if not exclusively, by the Russian Air Force may be justified as being purely defensive but they also strongly suggest that the Russians are digging in for a long stay. Also confirmed were earlier reports that Soviet MIG-21’s had been crated aboard 22 Soviet cargo planes for assembly in Egypt. Three MIG-23 “flogger,” the best Soviet fighter plane, have been definitely spotted in Egypt.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.