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Friday, October 15, 2010     GET REAL

Egypt commander claims air superiority, takes jab at Joint Strike Force fighter

CAIRO — Egypt has reported the modernization of its air defense network.

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Egypt's Air Force commander has asserted that the nation's air defense umbrella could intercept the most modern of aircraft and other platforms. Egyptian Air Force commander Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez said the air defense network included U.S.- and Russian-origin batteries.

"We can say that the Egyptian Air Force has the most powerful weapons in the region," Hafez said.


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"We are modernizing our military capacities to provide appropriate means of combating hostilities," the commander said. "But we aren't interested in entering into an arms race with anyone."

The commander's reference was to Israel's order of the Joint Strike Fighter from the United States. Hafez said Egypt would not compete with Israel's or any other fighter-jet, Middle East Newsline reported.

"We're not alarmed by certain countries of the region that are eager to possess modern fighter planes," Hafez said.

The commander said Egypt, with about 200 F-16s, has modernized air transports, helicopters as well as deployed advanced munitions. Hafez said these platforms have enhanced such operations as combat, transport, support and search and rescue.

"Egypt has a coherent defense system where the Egyptian Air Force and the Air Defense Force work closely to protect the country's skies and land against any hostile force," Hafez said.

On Oct. 13, Hafez said Egypt was not concerned over the deployment of modern aircraft in neighboring countries. The commander cited the rising defense budgets in Middle East states.

"While keeping in pace with the world's latest military technologies and modernizing her defense system continuously, Egypt is against entering any arms race with any other country in the region," Hafez said.

The commander, speaking on air force day, reported a significant improvement of the Egyptian military. Hafez said the Air Force has acquired the most modern combat platforms from France and the United States, including the F-16, Mirage 2000, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter and the E-2C airborne early-warning and alert aircraft. In 2010, Egypt ordered 20 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft.

The Air Force has also improved training, particularly through simulators. Hafez cited a range of air trainers, including the Chinese-origin K-8, the German-origin Grob and Al Fahit.



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