US Approves Sale of MDA System to Egypt

The US Department of State has approved a possible sale of a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system and related equipment to Egypt worth $417 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on Thursday. 

DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale, being executed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

According to the US agency, Egypt sought to purchase a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system that includes Radio Communications suites, Electro-­Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors (fixed, mobile, airborne), Hybrid Power Generation Systems, and multi-site Acquisition Radars (fixed and mobile) with supporting facilities. 

[caption id="attachment_154613" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Martin V-Bat UAVs[/caption]

The system also includes Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Power and Data Distribution Units, Automatic Identification System (AIS), and various other surveillance and communications systems; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The equipment includes 34 Integrated Fixed Towers (IFTs) with supporting equipment; 28 Communication Towers with supporting equipment; 12 Relay Towers with supporting equipment; six Naval Base Operations Rooms, two regional Operations Centers, and one Strategic Operation Center all with supporting equipment; six Harbor Protection Systems with supporting equipment; Intelligent Fiber Intrusion Detection System; 12 Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV with six Ground Stations; 14 Mobile Maritime Surveillance Vehicles; and, three Aerostat ISR Integrated Platform with supporting equipment. 

[caption id="attachment_154612" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Aerostat ISR Integrated Platform[/caption]

The estimated total program cost is $417 million. The sale's prime contractor will be the Advanced Technology Systems Company (ATSC), McLean, VA.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of Egypt, describing it as a Major Non-NATO Ally country continuing to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.

Egypt intends to use this Maritime Domain Awareness system to provide the Egyptian Armed Forces with a maritime surveillance capability with real-time situational awareness. 

The radars can be used effectively in counter-terrorism operations in Sinai and securing the Egyptian borders, natural resources, and ports.