Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — Egypt envisions Russia as becoming a key military supplier.

A former senior official said Egypt intends to develop defense and security cooperation with the Kremlin. Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy said Cairo would conclude major procurement deals with Moscow.

Egypt and Russia began discussing military procurement in September 2013 in wake of a U.S. embargo on major combat platforms to the new regime of President Abdul Fatah Sisi.

“We have agreed on developing our military cooperation as well and it is already developing,” Fahmy said. “I will not go into the details, but will say that Egypt will purchase the most modern military equipment from Russia.”

In an interview with Russia’s state-owned Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency on Nov. 7, Fahmy, who served as foreign minister until mid-2014, said Cairo was developing relations with Russia in the areas of economy, military and diplomacy. Fahmy said Russia marked an Egyptian effort to reduce dependency on the United States.

“We believe that Russia is an important state,” Fahmy said. “Egypt needs international ties, not only for substituting America with Russia or vice versa. But in order to benefit from cooperation with everyone.”

Officials said Cairo and Moscow have reached agreement on a $2.3 billion deal that would provide Egypt with fighter-jets, attack helicopters and air defense batteries.

Fahmy also envisioned Egyptian security cooperation with Russia. He said both countries understand the Al Qaida-aligned threat to the Middle East, including Iraq and Syria.

“For example, Russia and Egypt stood together for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria and against conducting military strikes in this country,” Fahmy said.

  Egypt continues shift toward Russia, WorldTribune.com