Jane's Defence Weekly - May 2, 2001
[Arms Trade Newswire May 2, 2001]
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is considering a request from Egypt to purchase an undisclosed number of Lockheed Martin 227mm Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs) as well as a range of other weapons systems, DoD officials said. The sales would be funded under US government security assistance to Egypt.
Egypt has submitted letters of request for MLRS, as well as for BAE Systems/Litton Industries 'identification friend or foe' (IFF) systems, Halter Marine fast attack craft-missile boats and co- production of General Dynamics Land Systems M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs). Under earlier agreements Egypt has co-produced M1A1 MBTs at the Egyptian Tank Plant.
A letter of acceptance on the procurement of 311 IFF systems totalling $300 million is awaiting Egypt's signature. The transaction would be a combination of Foreign Military Sales and a direct commercial sale. The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency is processing requests for the rest of the systems.