Egypt Cold to US Sanctions Threat Over $2B Su-35 Jets Buy

Egypt remains steadfast even under pressure of CAATSA sanctions by the United States for the former's purchase of 20 Su-35 fighters worth $2 billion from Russia.

The US imposes CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions against countries that buy military equipment from Russia. Cairo has not commented on the matter, and appears to be undeterred.

“The delivery of Su-35 fighter jets puts them at risk of sanctions, and at a risk of loss of future acquisitions,” a senior State Department official said during Dubai Airshow 2019.

Washington argues that Russian military hardware could pose a threat to a country’s ability to operate jointly with the militaries of the United States and other NATO countries.

The Su-35 deal highlights closer military coordination between Moscow and Cairo, even as Egypt reaps $1.3 billion in security assistance from Washington each year.

Additionally, Egypt bought a French Mistral amphibious assault ship that was originally built for Moscow. Cairo is mulling the purchase of 50 Ka-52K gunships from Russia for its Mistral boat.