On Tuesday, the US Department of State approved the sale of new military equipment to Egypt, at a value of about $200 million, the first such sale to Cairo under the Biden administration.
In a statement, the US Defense security cooperation agency said that the deal involves rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block two Tactical Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $197 million.
“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 country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East,” the statement read.
It also noted that the proposed sale will support the Egyptian Navy’s Fast Missile Craft ships and provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over Egypt’s coastal areas and approaches to the Suez Canal.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the statement added.
By US law, Congress will have 30 days to review the sale but its approval is not required for the transaction.
Last May, the Trump administration approved a deal to provide Egypt with the necessary equipment to refurbish 43 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for an estimated $2.3 billion.
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