US Approves Sentinel Air Defense Radar Sale To Egypt

Egypt has received US State Department approval to acquire $70 million eight Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 radars to expand its existing air defense architecture for countering air-attack threats.

"This will contribute to Egypt's military goal of updating its capabilities while further enhancing interoperability among Egypt, the United States, and other allies." The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a required notification to Congress said.

The contract also includes eight Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 radars and software and training, spares and support equipment, technical manuals, Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) VRC-92E Radios, 16 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles with shelter carrier kit.

The principal contractor would be Thales Raytheon Systems. Ten U.S. Government or contractor representatives would be required to travel to Egypt for a period of 8 weeks for equipment checkout and training.

The AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel air defense radar automatically detects, tracks, identifies, classifies and reports airborne threats.