Egypt interested in buying 24 MiG-35s from Russia

Russia has acknowledged an Egyptian request to procure a squadron of MiG-35 advanced fighter aircraft, to include up to 24 fighter jets at a cost of US$3 billion. The fulfilment of this package could be delayed though, as this specific type of aircraft hasn’t reached a production stage. The manufacturer, Russian Aircraft Corporation (UAC) through its subsidiary Russian Aircraft Corp (RAC) has failed to gain international orders for the aircraft and is currently awaiting an initial order from the Russian Air Force to kickstart production by 2016. However, Moscow could try to secure an Egyptian order with an earlier model that could utilize the current production line, namely the new-built MiG-29M/M2, which share commonality with the MiG-29K model recently supplied to Indian Navy.

By approaching Moscow, Egypt is regaining international support, after getting a cold shoulder from Washington, following the military coup d’état that toppled the controversial, yet democratically Mohamed Morsi, and his moslem Brotherhood party.

The arms package has been negotiated since November 2013 but no contract has been signed yet. The framework of that deal was originally proposed during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Cairo in November 2013. In February the arms package was agreed in principle between Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, then defense minister and the Russian president Vladimir Putin during Sisi’s visit to Moscow in February 2014. It was Sisi’s first trip abroad, following his seizure of power in a coup in August 2013.

Moreover, financial sources for the deal are unclear, particularly with the Saudi reluctance about Cairo’s moving closer with Moscow. As Egypt’s economy is in standstill for several years, with empty national treasury empty, and US financial support diminishing, how can Egypt afford such spending? The deal is reportedly to be funded mainly by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but following deteriorating relations between Riyadh and Moscow, particularly over the Russian support to the Syrian regime, wholehearted fulfilment of such obligation is questionable.

The commercial side of the deal is casting more optimism; UAC CEO Sergei Korotkov confirmed that negotiations are ongoing but said the number of aircraft Egypt will eventually get has been changing constantly. According to Russian industry sources the arms package would include the MiG fighter jets, Mi-35 helicopters, air defense missile systems, coastal defense (shore-based anti-ship) missiles, as well as firearms and ammunition.

Egyptian reconnaissance satellite (EgyptSat-2) launched by Russian Soyuz

A Russian Soyuz-U rocket was launched from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday 16-04-2014. In what is expected to the last “non Progress” launch of this variant of Soyuz, an Egyptian spacecraft – known as EgyptSat-2 – enjoyed a ride uphill on the Russian workhorse. Launch occurred on schedule at 16:20 UTC.


The EgyptSat-2 satellite – which has seen its launch delayed several times – was built by RKK Energia and is destined for an operational orbit of 435 x 435 miles with a 51.6 degrees declination to the equator.The spacecraft follows on from the launch of EgyptSat-1, which was launched by a Dnepr rocket – a converted RS-20 intercontinental ballistic missile – in 2007. However, that satellite saw its life end in 2010, due to a failure of its S-Band communication system.

Weighing in at 1,050 kg, the Earth Observation satellite is being launched on behalf of Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences.The bird is equipped with three deployable, fixed solar arrays and X-band communications. It is expected to have an operational lifetime of 11 years, covering Egypt’s mapping, environmental monitoring and disaster management requirements.

Egyptian Air Force de Havilland DHC 5 Buffalo makes belly landing at Abu Suwayr Air Base

Egypt starts the production of ASN-209 UAVs

Chinese ASN Unmanned Reconnaissance Aerial Vehicle model photos below

Hamdy Weheba, the Chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization claimed this week that Egypt has started the production of the ASN-209 Multi-purpose UAV System.
He claimed that although the UAVs are being built in collaboration with a foreign defence manufacturer, more than 99% of the components are locally manufactured. He claimed that with the latest manufacturing venture, Egypt is entering in to the second phase of mass ASN-209 production. He said that the six drones which they had built during the first phase are fully operational under the Egyptian armed forces.

 

The drone was developed by ASN Technology Group, which is a specialized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Research and development company based in China. ASN claims that their UAV is capable of performing aerial reconnaissance, battle field survey, target location, destroy validation and artillery fire adjustment. It is capable of undertaking night time operations as well. According to the ASN officials, the UAV is capable of undertaking missions which require it to be on air continuously for up to 10 hours. The UAV is having an operational range of 125 miles and is capable of supervising very large areas.