US approves $2.2 billion sale of C-130J aircraft to Egypt

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has approved the possible sale of a dozen C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and air defense radar systems to Egypt.

The C-130Js and related equipment that could be sold to Egypt are expected to cost about $2.2 billion, the State Department said in a Tuesday release announcing the Foreign Military Sale approval, and the radar systems and related equipment have an estimated cost of $355 million.

The department said the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale Tuesday.

Egypt asked to buy 12 Lockheed Martin-made C-130Js, each installed with four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D turboprop engines, as well as a dozen spare engines; GPS navigation systems; identification transponders; missile warning systems; countermeasure systems; and more.

Egypt wants to buy three SPS-48 land-based radar systems, spares, motor generators, repeaters, radomes and other equipment, the State Department said. L3Harris Surveillance Systems of Van Nuys, California, would be the principal contractor in this sale.

The State Department said selling Egypt these airplanes and equipment will benefit the U.S. by helping a key ally in the Middle East improve its own security, and help it better detect air threats. Egypt already operates SPS-48 radars, so the State Department expects it won’t have a problem adopting the new radars into its armed forces.

Selling the C-130Js would help Egypt airlift supplies, equipment and people to better support its forces on missions such as border security and anti-terrorism, respond to internal security threats, and provide humanitarian aid, the department added. The C-130s would also be used for maritime patrol as well as search and rescue missions.

Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.

华盛顿——拜登政府已批准向埃及出售十几架C-130J超级大力神运输机和防空雷达系统。

美国国务院周二发布公告，宣布批准向埃及出售C-130J运输机及相关设备，预计总价值约为22亿美元；雷达系统及相关设备预计总价值为3.55亿美元。

该部门表示，国防安全合作局已于周二通知国会这笔可能的军售。

埃及要求购买 12 架洛克希德·马丁公司制造的 C-130J 运输机，每架飞机安装 4 台罗尔斯·罗伊斯 AE 2100D 涡轮螺旋桨发动机，以及 12 台备用发动机；GPS 导航系统；识别应答器；导弹告警系统；对抗系统；等等。

美国国务院表示，埃及希望购买三套SPS-48陆基雷达系统、备件、电机、中继器、雷达罩及其他设备。位于加利福尼亚州范奈斯的L3Harris监视系统公司将是此次军售的主要承包商。

美国国务院表示，向埃及出售这些飞机和设备将使美国受益，因为这将帮助美国在中东的重要盟友提升自身安全，并使其更好地探测空中威胁。埃及目前已装备SPS-48雷达，因此美国国务院预计埃及军队采用这些新型雷达不会遇到任何问题。

该部门补充说，出售C-130J运输机将有助于埃及空运物资、设备和人员，从而更好地支持其部队执行边境安全和反恐等任务，应对内部安全威胁，并提供人道主义援助。C-130J还将用于海上巡逻以及搜救任务。

斯蒂芬·洛西是《防务新闻》的空战记者。他此前曾在《空军时报》报道领导层和人事问题，并在Military.com网站报道五角大楼、特种作战和空战。他曾前往中东报道美国空军的行动。