Pentagon approves USD 1.2 bn arms sale to Egypt

The US has approved USD 1.2 bn worth of arms sales to Egypt: A Pentagon agency has approved the sale to Egypt of 10 AH-64E Apache helicopters in a transaction worth an estimated USD 1 bn, according to a statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). In a separate statement, the DSCA said it also approved the sale of tank ammunition worth USD 201 mn. “Egypt intends to expand its existing fleet of multi-mission heavy attack helicopters to address U.S.-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula that undermine regional stability,” the DSCA said. “This sale will contribute to Egypt’s military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the U.S., and other allies.” Congress now has a 30-day window in which to block the sales or they automatically go through. The Hill and The Defense Post had the story.