Home Africa US clears $2.5B sale of C-130J airlifters, air defense radars for Egypt

US clears $2.5B sale of C-130J airlifters, air defense radars for Egypt

C-130J Super Hercules
Illustration: US Air Force file photo of a C-130J

The US State Department has approved a possible sale of C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft and air defense radar systems to Egypt for an estimated total value of over $2.5 billion.

According to a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcement from January 25, Egypt has received approval to buy 12 Super Hercules airlifters that would be delivered by Lockheed Martin should a deal be concluded.

In addition to the aircraft, the $2.2 billion purchase would include engines, embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS security devices, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, missile warning systems, and flare/chaff dispensers and technical support.

Egypt already operates a mix of legacy C-130s and will join Algeria and Tunisia as one of the North African C-130J operators.

“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,” the DSCA statement read.

The C-130J Hercules can deliver cargo to airfields with short unsurfaced runways, and airdrop cargo and paratroops by parachute. The aircraft can carry up to 128 passengers, or eight pallets of cargo.

In addition to the Super Hercules, Egypt also received US approval to buy air defense radar systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $355 million.

More specifically, Egypt has requested to buy three SPS-48 land based radar (LBR) that are manufactured by L3 Harris Surveillance Systems. It was noted that Egypt would have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces since it already operates previously procured SPS-48 LBR.

That proposed purchase, which includes support equipment, operator training, and maintenance training associated with the SPS-48 LBR, and overhaul of fielded SPS-48 LBR antenna systems has an estimated total cost of $355 million.