United States has delivered another batch of 4 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Egyptian Air Force as part of Egyptian-American mili...
United States has delivered another batch of 4 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Egyptian Air Force as part of Egyptian-American military cooperation on Thursday.
U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Stephen Beecroft and Senior Defense Official Major General Charles Hooper joined Air Marshal Younes al-Masri and other senior Egyptian military officials in a ceremony at the Cairo West Air Force Base.
The latest Block 52 variants offers additional fuel and payload capacity, and sports improved avionics. It is capable of performing reconnaissance missions, air-to-ground attacks, and air-to-air engagement.
In addition to the fighter aircraft, the United States will provide follow-on maintenance and training for Egyptian Air Force pilots and ground crews. The aircraft, which were delivered under the “Peace Vector” program, which has provided F-16 fighter jets to Egypt for the last 30 years, will be integrated immediately into the Egyptian Air Force fleet.
US Air Force pilots flew the 14-hours flight from the United States to Egypt.
The delivery is part of the 20 jets ordered by Egypt, which were suspended following the military coup that ousted the democratically elected President Mohammed Mursi in July 2013.
The deal is sign of improving the strained ties with the Egypt, which is a major US ally in the region. In July, U.S. has transferred eight F-16s to Egypt.
F-16 constitute the major portion of Egyptian Air Force with over 200 in fleet. Egypt is upgrading its fighter fleet with newer jets, with the first of three Dassault Rafale fighter jets, part of the 24 on order, delivered in August 2014. Egypt has also evinced interest to acquire the MiG-35 fighter from Russia.
The delivery is part of the 20 jets ordered by Egypt, which were suspended following the military coup that ousted the democratically elected President Mohammed Mursi in July 2013.
The deal is sign of improving the strained ties with the Egypt, which is a major US ally in the region. In July, U.S. has transferred eight F-16s to Egypt.
F-16 constitute the major portion of Egyptian Air Force with over 200 in fleet. Egypt is upgrading its fighter fleet with newer jets, with the first of three Dassault Rafale fighter jets, part of the 24 on order, delivered in August 2014. Egypt has also evinced interest to acquire the MiG-35 fighter from Russia.
