The United States has threatened sanctions against Egypt over a $2 billion contract to buy more than 20 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. The sanctions threats are mainly fueled by the fact the US sends $1.3 billion in annual military assistance to Egypt.
The threat for sanctions was issued to Egypt through a letter written by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper warning of the consequences for not terminating the contract with Russia. Russia, which has become one of Egypt’s major arms suppliers, plans to start deliveries of Su-35 Flanker-E air-superiority fighters to the country as early as 2020-21.
The US has long been a major provider of weaponry to Egypt but Russia has been aggressively expanding its influence in the Middle East, sending forces to bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his nation’s civil war, securing access to an Iranian airbase and building ties with NATO member Turkey.
Russia recently held an African summit that is primarily geared at expanding its reach and interest in the various countries which include military cooperation and sale of its cutting-edge defense equipment and technology to African countries.
The letter was sent as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Cairo for talks about military cooperation. Egypt, seeking to strengthen its military alliance with Russia, earlier this year signed a $2 billion agreement with Moscow to buy more than 20 Su-35 jet fighters.
