UNIPATH STAFF
Egypt has increased its combat readiness and ability to carry out long-term missions at sea with the $1 billion purchase of two French Mistral helicopter carriers.
“We now have advanced capabilities in confronting terrorism within our borders and on our shores,” Egyptian Minister of Defense Sedky Sobhi said at a ceremony in Saint-Nazaire, France, in June 2016.
In addition to 450 personnel, the ship — known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the French Navy for its versatility — can hold up to 24 aircraft, 40 tanks, 50 armored vehicles and three radar units. It has a missile system for air defense and room on deck for six helicopter landing pads. It is also equipped with a 20-room hospital, complete with surgical facilities. Before delivery to Egypt, a crew of 170 Egyptian naval personnel trained aboard the ships.
Cairo has sought to boost its military power in the face of a two-year insurgency in northern Sinai and fears that the conflict in neighboring Libya could spill over.
In April 2016, France signed separate deals worth about $2.26 billion with Egypt during a visit to Cairo by French President Francois Hollande. The deals included a contract for a military telecommunications satellite expected to be built by France’s Airbus Space Systems and Thales Alenia Space.
Egypt last year also acquired a French frigate as part of a $5.8 billion contract for 24 Rafale warplanes, France’s first overseas export of the fighter jet.
The Mistral helicopter carriers were initially built for the Russian Navy. However, Moscow lost the ships when France joined the rest of the European Union in imposing economic and arms trade sanctions following its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Sources: Reuters, Egypt Independent, Defense News