Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Research Service reported that Egypt topped such major
regional states as Israel and Algeria in arms procurement over the last four
years.

In a report by Richard Grimmett, CRS said Egypt has been acquiring
weapons from the United States as well as such rivals as China and Russia.

The United States provides Egypt with $1.3 billion in
annual military assistance.

At the same time, Egypt has continued with significant purchases from
such U.S. rivals as China and Russia. CRS said Egypt purchased $800 million
in Chinese weapons since 2003 and $600 million from Russia.

The report was released as Congress was debating measures to reduce U.S.
military aid to Egypt. A Senate bill would require that Egypt hold free
elections, end martial law and guarantee civil liberties before the release
of the $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid for fiscal 2012, which began in
October.

Egyptian arms procurement from the United States rose significantly
since 2007. CRS, which did not elaborate, said Egyptian orders of U.S.
weapons increased from $4.5 billion between 2003 and 2007 to $7.8 billion
from 2007 to 2011.

The United States is said to have been supplying the most advanced conventional weapons to Egypt. CRS, in a report titled “Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 2003-2010,” cited the U.S. sale of fast patrol craft as well as the Harpoon Block-2 anti-ship missile in 2010, valued at a total of $331 million.

From 2003 through 2010, Egypt was ranked No. 4 in arms procurement for developing nations, with $14.4 billion. Only Saudi Arabia, India and the United Arab Emirates exceeded Egyptian weapons purchases. Israel was not on the top 10 of the list of developing nations.

“Egypt and Israel have also continued their military modernization programs by increasing their purchases of advanced weaponry, primarily from the United States,” the report, dated Sept. 22, said.

  China, Congressional Research Service, Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile, Report: Egypt spreads wealth in arms procurement to U.S., Richard Grimmett, Russia