Officials said this would be the first of several Egyptian requests for
the F-16. They said Cairo, which would require five years of American
training, would pay for the deal through the annual U.S. aid of $1.3
billion. Egypt has a fleet of more than 200 F-16s.
Congress has 30 days to block the Egyptian request. Officials said that
neither the House nor Senate, despite concern over Egypt's human rights
record, would seek to stop the F-16 sale.
The Pentagon agency said the F-16s requested by Egypt would contain
either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 engine as well as APG-68[V]9 radars.
The
platforms would also contain advanced reconnaissance and electronic warfare
systems as well as the Sniper or Lightening targeting pods.
The proposed sale was estimated to be much more expensive than a U.S.
project to sell Morocco 24 F-16s for $2.4 billion. Officials said the
Moroccan project, unlike that of Egypt, did not include a request to build
air bases.
Egypt has also requested conformal fuel tanks for the F-16s. Officials
said the fuel tanks would enable long-range air strikes.
"Delivery of this weapon system will greatly enhance Egypt’s
interoperability with the U.S., making it a more valuable partner in an
important area of the world, as well as supporting Egypt’s legitimate need
for its own self-defense," DSCA said.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16, has been deemed the prime
contractor. Other contractors include BAE Systems, Boeing, Raytheon and
Northrop Grumman.
"There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed
sale," DSCA said.
