Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — Russia has submitted a military modernization plan to
Egypt.

Officials said the Kremlin has approved a multi-billion-dollar deal that
would enhance several arms of the Egyptian military. They said the project
by Russia’s state-owned arms export agency Rosoboronexport would focus on
Egypt’s Air Force and air defense command.

“The word is now with our partners,” Mikhail Zavaliy, a senior official in Rosoboronexport, said.

In a briefing to Russia’s state-owned RIA-Novosti on Nov. 15, Zavaliy said Rosoboronexport has relayed a proposal to sell military helicopters and air defense systems to Egypt. He said Moscow was also offering to upgrade aging Soviet-era weapons.

“Now we are offering Egypt modern helicopters, air defense equipment and the modernization of previously purchased military equipment,” Zavaliy said.

The disclosure came in wake of the visit of a high-level Russian defense
delegation to Cairo. The delegation, led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, was said to have reviewed options for
the restoration of strategic relations between the two former allies.

No weapons deals were announced during the two-day Russian-Egyptian
talks. But the Russian business daily Vedemosti reported that Egypt was
interested in such assets as the upgraded MiG-29 fighter-jet,
short-range air defense systems and Kornet anti-tank guided missiles.

Egypt has been searching for suppliers in wake of the U.S. suspension of
delivery of major combat platforms to Egypt. Russian sources said Cairo was
expected to pay for Russian weapons from billions of dollars of assistance
from Saudi Arabia.

“There is never a vacuum on the international arms market,” Zavaliy
said. “If one supplier goes away, then another one appears.”

  MiG-29 fighter jet, Mikhail Zavaliy, Moscow offers Egypt a multi-billion-dollar deal to modernize weapons, Rosoboronexport, Sergei Lavrov, Sergei Shoigu