The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) block 2 tactical missiles to Egypt for an estimated $197 million.
The Egyptian government has requested to buy up to 168 RIM‑116C RAM missiles, in addition to guided missile round pack tri-pack shipping and storage containers and related support equipment and services.
According to a statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the the Egyptian Navy would equip its Ambassador MK III, or Ezat-class, fast missile craft with the missiles.
Egypt bought a total of four vessels in the class from US shipbuilder VT Halter Marine and received them between 2013 and 2015. The 63-meter boats already carry RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, OTO Melara 76 mm/62 Super Rapid guns, RIM-116 RAM block 1A missiles and Phalanx close-in weapons systems.
The proposed purchase, which is not final and is subject to approval from the US Congress, would provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over Egypt’s coastal areas and approaches to the Suez Canal, DSCA said. The agency added that Egypt would have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces since Egypt already operates previously procured RAM Block 1A missiles.
The principal contractor for the sale would be Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
