Will Egypt Buy Russian Su-35 Warplanes?

It’s reported Friday that the United States is worried that Egypt might buy Russian Su-35 jets, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

The US daily newspaper claimed that it reviewed a letter sent to Egypt from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. In this alleged letter, Washington warned Cairo of possible sanctions if a Russian warplanes deal is concluded. 

“The letter urged Egypt’s defense minister to cancel a deal to buy Russian Su-35 warplanes,” the New York City-based newspaper wrote. 

The United States and Russia have been competing with each other over greater influence in the Middle East. 

For past decades, the US has been the main ally and weaponry supplier to Egypt and many regional countries in the Middle East. 

However, Moscow has been always looking forward to playing a bigger role.

Russian Su-35 Threatens US Influence 

In recent decades, Washington has given Cairo billions in economic and military assistance, including providing F-16 fighter planes, attack helicopters and other equipment.

“Major new arms deals with Russia would—at a minimum—complicate future U.S. defense transactions with and security assistance to Egypt,” stated the letter.

Last week,Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a constructive dialogue with Congress over the S-400 and F-35, reiterating Turkey’s desire to acquire U.S. Patriot missiles.

There is a US law called the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

$2 Billion Fighters Deal

Cairo and Moscow are in agreement on the sale to Egypt of “more than twenty” Sukhoi Su-35 heavyweight multirole fighters, Moscow news outlet Kommersant reported on Monday, March 18. The deal is yet to be confirmed by official sources. Reportedly, a firm contract worth $2 billion was signed late last year but remained undisclosed until this week. Shipments are expected to commence in 2020-2021.

The Donald Trump administration has delayed enacting CAATSA sanctions against Turkey, a fellow NATO ally, for acquiring the Russian S-400 air-missile defense system, even though the Pentagon ousted Ankara from the F-35 fighter-jet program earlier this year.

This is the first time the United States has attempted to block an arms deal between Russia and Egypt in recent years.

In which case, Washington could begin coming down on other allies that are seeking to purchase military weapons from Russia, such as Saudi Arabia, India, Serbia and Algeria.