Egypt Approved to Buy C-130 Aircraft, Air Defense Radar

The U.S. State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of C-130 aircraft and Air Defense Radar Systems, and related equipment for $2.5 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Egypt has requested to buy three (3) SPS-48 Land Based Radar (LBR) manufactured by L3 Harris, spares, motor generators, repeaters, radomes, technical manuals, site surveys, installation, calibrations, testing, operator training, and maintenance training associated with the SPS-48 LBR; obsolescence replacements of processor, track management system, communication equipment, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), generators, and/or Transmitter Control Unit in fielded SPS-48 LBR systems; updated built-in-testing (BIT) and overhaul of fielded SPS-48 LBR antenna systems; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $355 million.

Egypt already operates previously procured SPS-48 Land Based Radars.

The contract for C-130 aircraft and related equipment is expected to cost $2.2 billion. The contract will include twelve (12) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with four (4) each Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (installed); twelve (12) Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares); thirty (30) Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS Security Devices (including 6 spares); and seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2) (including 3 spares). Also included are AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders; AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (MWS); AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS); AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR); AN/AAQ-22 (STAR SAFIRE 380); secure communications, cryptographic equipment, and GPS-aided precision navigation equipment; publications and technical documentation; software and mission critical resources; aircraft support and equipment; unclassified return and repair; integration and testing; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing airlift support for its forces by moving supplies, equipment, and people, thus strengthening its capacity in the security and humanitarian arena. This airlift capability would assist with border security, the interdiction of known terrorist elements, rapid reaction to internal security threats, and humanitarian aid. Egypt also intends to utilize these aircraft for maritime patrol missions and search and rescue missions in the region. Egypt, which already operates a mix of legacy C-130s, will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and services into its armed forces, DSCA said in a release.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Marietta, GA.