Approval has been given by the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) for the sale of 23 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Egypt, for an estimated value of US$2.6 billion.
In addition to the 23 Chinooks, the Egyptian government has also requested 56 T-55-GA-714A engines (46 installed and ten spares), 52 inertial navigation systems, and 29 AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems and a variety of other avionics, 75 machine guns M-240 with ammunition, and appropriate maintenance equipment.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East, the DSCA said in a statement. “Egypt will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats.”
The Egyptian Air Force already operates CH-47 Chinooks. The current order of battle is composed of 19 airframes: 16 CH-47Ds and three CH-47Cs, which are flown by the 18th and 33rd squadrons, both based in Kom Awshim Air Base, southwest of Cairo.
