Egypt is close to a historic deal: American F-15 fighters are on the cusp of the Egyptian Air Force

[Yasser76]

Thank you for proving your initial claim wrong yourself.
Investments in Egypt projects/economy is COMPLETELY different from claiming that KSA is giving 5 billion USD (fake news) for free (LOL) annually to the "Al-Sisi dictatorship" (your words). Talk about twisting the reality.


No, we do not. We have almost 500.000 serving soldiers in all branches of the KSA military if SANG is included.

You are making up empty claims as facts. This does not work like that. A few 100 advisers/consultants/trainers (which are being faced out anyway - numbers decreasing each year) is not evidence of any "dependence" whatsoever.

Pakistan has had a small contingent of soldiers under KSA command since the First Gulf War. They are just that, mostly ordinary soldiers. As a sign of support from the Pakistani government. Not out of necessity because none of those soldiers are actively serving in the KSA military or engaged in any conflicts that KSA was engaged in. Case in point the Yemeni civil war. Other than consultants/trainers/advisors as I wrote.

Anyway this thread is about Egypt, so I am ending it here.

There are 1000's of NATO troops within Turkey serving the same function as in KSA. No difference.

Saudi Arabia, owing to its large population, hosts a comparatively smaller proportion of contract soldiers in its forces than other GCC states, though it has employed many to fight its war in Yemen. One expert claims that Saudi ground forces in Yemen are made up almost entirely of contract soldiers, including Yemenis hired locally. Historically, many Pakistanis have served in the kingdom—in the late 1980s, for instance, tens of thousands—in a whole spectrum of military roles, from menial jobs to providing training and technical assistance. Their assignments in Saudi Arabia are said to have exposed Pakistani soldiers to radical religious (often Wahhabi) teachings. Aside from contract soldiers from Africa and Asia, Saudi Arabia also hosts well in excess of 1,000 U.S. and 300 British military personnel and contractors.

Foreign Contract Soldiers in the Gulf

Despite flagging oil revenues and the introduction of conscription in the Gulf, the use of foreign contract soldiers, sometimes called mercenaries, is here to stay.

carnegieendowment.org

 

[_Arabia_]

Saudi Arabia, owing to its large population, hosts a comparatively smaller proportion of contract soldiers in its forces than other GCC states, though it has employed many to fight its war in Yemen. One expert claims that Saudi ground forces in Yemen are made up almost entirely of contract soldiers, including Yemenis hired locally. Historically, many Pakistanis have served in the kingdom—in the late 1980s, for instance, tens of thousands—in a whole spectrum of military roles, from menial jobs to providing training and technical assistance. Their assignments in Saudi Arabia are said to have exposed Pakistani soldiers to radical religious (often Wahhabi) teachings. Aside from contract soldiers from Africa and Asia, Saudi Arabia also hosts well in excess of 1,000 U.S. and 300 British military personnel and contractors.

Foreign Contract Soldiers in the Gulf

Despite flagging oil revenues and the introduction of conscription in the Gulf, the use of foreign contract soldiers, sometimes called mercenaries, is here to stay.

carnegieendowment.org

You are discussing various topics all at once. Now you are changing the topic to contract soldiers/allies involved in conflicts abroad. Totally different topic. The initial topic was manpower, you made a false claim of KSA lacking manpower (500.000 soldiers would claim otherwise). Later the discussion turned into a few 100 advisors/consultants/trainers which is completely normal in 99% of the world's militaries.

You are confusing KSA with tiny (population wise) GCC countries like Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait etc. which are heavily reliant on foreigners/naturalized people due to shortage.

As for the Yemen civil war, yes, much of the land force was made up by Sudanese (who joined the war on KSA's/Arab coalition size) and there were also involvement from foreign mercenaries (Colombians) just like in Ukraine. Never denied that.

KSA forces were limited to special operation troops (which helped capture Aden) and other successful operations during the civil war, and controlling/protecting the almost 2000 km long mostly heavily mountainous KSA-Yemen border.

The reason for this is simple, KSA did not want to engage with troops in Yemen due to tribal/clan/religious reasons and the rift it would create if KSA/Yemenis fought each other in huge numbers. It was never popular in the KSA military. Not to mention that Yemen is a catastrophe to invade (land troops) which Egypt experienced under Nasser, Ottomans and many other invaders in the past.

Moreover it was a Yemeni civil war and KSA was/is supporting the official government, it is not our job to fight and die for Yemenis.

Just like Pakistan is not sending troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban for the very same reasons but is reduced to aerial warfare and supporting anti-Taliban forces.

 

[Yasser76]

You are discussing various topics all at once. Now you are changing the topic to contract soldiers/allies involved in conflicts abroad. Totally different topic. The initial topic was manpower, you made a false claim of KSA lacking manpower (500.000 soldiers would claim otherwise). Later the discussion turned into a few 100 advisors/consultants/trainers which is completely normal in 99% of the world's militaries.

You are confusing KSA with tiny (population wise) GCC countries like Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait etc. which are heavily reliant on foreigners/naturalized people due to shortage.

As for the Yemen civil war, yes, much of force was made up by Sudanese (who joined the war on KSA's/Arab coalition size) and there were also involvement from foreign mercenaries (Colombians) just like in Ukraine. Never denied that.

The reason for this is simple, KSA did not want to engage with troops in Yemen due to tribal/clan/religious reasons and the rift it would create if KSA/Yemenis fought each other in huge numbers. It was never popular in the KSA military. Not to mention that Yemen is a catastrophe to invade (land troops) which Egypt experienced under Nasser.

Moreover it was a Yemeni civil war and KSA was/is supporting the official government, it is not our job to fight and die for Yemenis.

Just like Pakistan is not sending troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban for the very same reasons but is reduced to aerial warfare and supporting anti-Taliban forces.

My God, you are all over the place. First you say you have no manpower problems then you say

"The reason for this is simple, KSA did not want to engage with troops in Yemen due to tribal/clan/religious reasons"

Which sounds like a manpower problem. Make up your mind.

 

[_Arabia_]

My God, you are all over the place. First you say you have no manpower problems then you say

"The reason for this is simple, KSA did not want to engage with troops in Yemen due to tribal/clan/religious reasons"

Which sounds like a manpower problem. Make up your mind.

What are you talking about? The KSA-Yemen war was unpopular within the Saudi Arabian army. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MANPOWER. Invading Yemen in huge numbers with LAND TROPS is a recipe for disaster which EVERY MILITARY that attempted to do so, proved for all to see.

KSA was limited to an air campaign (that prevented the Houthis from controlling all of Yemen, instead they control 1/3 of it) and special operations on the ground - Aden (second largest city) operation. That and controlling/securing the almost 2000 km long heavily mountainous KSA-Yemen border.

It was a Yemeni civil war, why should KSA invade Yemen and have 10.000's of soldiers killed just for another civil war to start in 5-10 years time? As long as Houthis are confined to Northwestern Yemen and don't try to conquer all of Yemen and make hostile moves to KSA, the war/conflict/intervention is over from KSA's point of view.

It has been de facto since 2020 and peace deals have been signed already and there is KSA-Houthi talk on a monthly basis.

Not to mention that idiotic UAE regime made the whole thing even harder when they decided to back/support the separatists in the South simultaneously.

Yemen, unfortunately, is a mess politically but Insha'Allah it will get better eventually and we will have a stable Southern Arabia.

 

[_Arabia_]

@Yasser76

Since we are off-topic anyway.

Much of KSA's land troops derive from Southern KSA (on paper the poorest area of KSA - still very rich/prosperous compared to most places in the world), which is an area of KSA that is heavily tied to Northern Yemen (Houthi stronghold) culturally, linguistically, tribal/clan wise even though most of our Southerners are Sunni Muslims although we have Zaydi and Ismaili minorities.

This means that KSA politically has to be cautious in this regard.

It is similar to the Pashtun Pakistanis ties with Afghanistan (Afghan Pashtuns) across the border.

Not to mention that it was a Yemeni civil war. Yemen is one of the most challenging geographically countries in the world to invade with one of the most heavily armed civilian populations. They are a very hard nut to crack like much of our South.

It was never a popular war within the Saudi Arabian army (most of us Arabs are heavily nationalistic and would hate to fight against fellow Arabs in an official capacity unless invaded - hence the few Arab-Arab wars - civil wars/conflicts for internal power is a different matter) and it was a WISE political decision to limit it to aerial operations, special operations on the ground, securing the almost 2000 km long heavily mountainous KSA-Yemen border as well as supporting the legitimate/official Yemeni military/government.

But at the end of the day it was/is another Yemeni civil war (out of many in the modern era - I predict another one in the future when people rise up against the Houthis and their oppression against the population they control currently) and KSA's realistic aims were reached many years ago and since 2020 the conflict (from KSA's part) has been frozen.

Not to mention that the UAE involvement in Yemen has been another huge problem (like their involvement in Sudan and many other places) because they, instead of backing/working with the official government for Yemeni unity), they have backed the separatists (Southern) which has made an messy situation even messier.

And unlike KSA, they don't border Yemen (even though many Emiratis are originally from Yemen) and have fewer repercussions.

Any way my last post on this topic, as we are off-topic.

 

[dbc]

They will be used for NASAMS Air Defense System , not for BVR
The US did not allow Egypt to integrate AIM-120C8s into its F-16s




Even whole Islamic World can not develop a modern BVR Missile ... ( except Turkiye )

NASAMS use the AIM 120 C ER exclusively since regular air launched AIM 120's cannot be launched from the surface. The difference is that the AIM 120 ER are fitted with the much larger motor of the RIM-162 ESSM with an added booster . Egypt are getting a 100 ER and a hundred air launched standard AMRAAM's. You are right Egypt's old F-16's cannot use the AiM-120 C8's. So why order a 100 air launched missiles they cannot use?

 

[That_Guy]

Egypt will purchase 200 AMRAAM C8's and ER's it was approved by the State Department in July 2025 as part of the 4.7 B$ NASAM deal.

Oh, cool. Will it be able to shoot down F-35s? No? So, again, vanity.

 

[dbc]

Oh, cool. Will it be able to shoot down F-35s? No? So, again, vanity.

Yes the AIM-120 C8 can shoot down a F-35. Not sure why you think it can't? The F-15 will have to overcome the same limitations as the Su-35, J-10's or any other legacy platforms when engaging a VLO platform i.e. reduced detection and engagement range inside 20 NM the F-35 is vulnerable. So are you saying all 4.X Gen fighters are now obsolete? I'm not sure why Egypt plans to procure the F-15 either. I know they don't plan to fight Israel. Their survival depends on the river Nile so I get the need for lethal long range platforms to dissuade Countries upstream from restrictive damming of the river. Calling the potential acquisition 'vanity' isn't fair. Water security is something that keeps leaders in the Middle East and North Africa up at night.

 

[Watandar]

Please just chill, we have to respect Arab's perspective and our own different perspective. In the end of the day, Arabs made their decisions on their requirements, just leave as it is.

Arab puppet autocrats dont have a perspective. They do what their masters in Washington tell them to do. You saw how all GCC welcomed Trump as their god-Emperor few months ago right ?

These defanged F15's are being bought with either US aid money that flows annually to Egypt due to Camp David sellout, or GCC money that bankrolls the Egyptian dictatorship. Both require purchase of US weapon systems as political compulsion.

Another poster has wisely pointed put why Israelis are not objecting to it, after Egypt gets these defanged F15, the Israelis will demand another squadron of F35 to counter this new "threat".

 

[wangdefa]

I would like to say that Egypt and China have cooperated militarily for many years, but Egypt still doesn't know how well it gets along with your Chinese friends. I want to say that sometimes you have to observe what your Chinese friends say, Chinese is a very logical language. While we say in principle that we do not sell lethal weapons, we do not say that we cannot rent full defence equipment. When the ownership remains unchanged, he does not violate Chinese law. What is Egypt's purpose, to defend against Israel's invasion, and what weapons can make the enemy fearful? We should think from this line of thought.

 

[Blain2]

Expensive platform which would be a turkey shoot for Israeli F-35s. If the Egyptians are planning on using these against Ethiopia, that'd be one thing, but the reality is that main threat to any or all Arab states is Israel.

 

[ST1976]

View attachment 158321​

Cairo is moving steadily towards redrawing the map of its air power, in a move that may rearrange the balance of power in the skies of the Middle East. After more than two years of complex negotiations, Egypt continues its discussions with the United States regarding a possible deal to acquire up to 46 F-15 Advanced Eagle fighters, in one of the most anticipated deals in the region in decades.

Recent reports indicate that negotiations are still ongoing without an official announcement, but indications point to a growing strategic agreement between Cairo and Washington that is restoring warmth to defense relations between the two countries after years of stagnation.

Washington reopens doors

The first public indication of US readiness to supply Egypt with F-15 fighters was revealed in March 2022, when General Frank McKenzie, then commander of US Central Command, announced before the Senate that "the good news is that we will supply Egypt with F-15 aircraft".

Since then, technical and financial negotiations have continued amid obstacles related to congressional reviews and sensitive export laws, especially with regard to maintaining Israel's qualitative superiority (QME) in the region, which makes any deal of this size hostage to a precise equation between politics and military deterrence.

Cairo rearranges its cards

Negotiations with Washington came after the collapse of a previous Egyptian deal to obtain Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, which collided with the sanctions of the US Katsa law and the challenges of compatibility with Western regimes. With the cancellation of that deal, Cairo moved towards searching for an alternative that would ensure the continuation of its plans to modernize its air force and enhance long-range deterrence capabilities.

Today, Egypt seeks to possess an advanced version of the F-15 fighters, similar to the models used in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, giving it a broader operational capability that includes air control and long-range attack missions. The deal is valued at several billion dollars and includes training, maintenance, and long-term logistical support.

View attachment 158322​

F-15 Advanced Eagle: Egyptian Air Force Towards a New Generation​

The F-15 Advanced Eagle fighters represent the pinnacle of development in the famous F-15 family, which has proven its efficiency since the 1970s. It is equipped with a modern AESA radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously, an integrated EPAWSS electronic warfare system, and a fully digital control system that gives the pilot superior response in air combat.

The aircraft relies on a powerful design and reinforced wings capable of carrying more than 13 tons of ammunition, and its speed reaches Mach 2.5 with a combat range exceeding 1,200 kilometers, making it one of the most dangerous multi-mission fighters in the world.
Perhaps the most important feature of this model is its ability to carry out precise long-range strikes while maintaining continuous air superiority, a feature that Cairo needs to protect its vast borders and secure navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Israel… Between caution and implicit support

Despite the sensitivity of any huge arms deal to Egypt, reports indicate that Tel Aviv did not object to the American project, but rather saw it as a means to strengthen relations between Cairo and Washington within a framework that guarantees regional balance. However, restrictions are expected to be imposed on the Egyptian version, particularly with regard to advanced radar systems or AIM-120D long-range missiles, in compliance with US law to protect Israeli military superiority.

Logistical Challenges and Operational Integration

Bringing a new fighter of this size into service is no simple matter. The Egyptian Air Force will need to establish an integrated infrastructure that includes training and simulation centers, advanced maintenance facilities, in addition to rehabilitating pilots and engineers to deal with advanced digital systems.

But experts believe that the strategic benefit is worth the effort, as these aircraft will give Egypt an unprecedented ability to quickly deploy and carry out deterrence operations in its regional surroundings, from North Africa to the Red Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

View attachment 158323
​

Between politics and deterrence

The potential F-15 deal reflects more than just a military purchase; it is a dual political message. On the one hand, it confirms Cairo's desire to deepen the defense partnership with the United States and restore confidence after years of rapprochement with Moscow and Paris. On the other hand, it stands out as a step within the framework of a comprehensive modernization of the Egyptian combat structure to confront the challenges of terrorism and cross-border threats and secure international trade routes.

While discussions on armament and equipment continue, the basic equation remains: Will Washington accept providing Egypt with an integrated version of the advanced fighter, or will it choose a limited-capacity model that balances support with political reservations?

Potential F-15 Deal

The potential F-15 deal opens a new chapter in the history of the Egyptian Air Force, and may constitute a strategic turning point in Cairo's relationship with Washington. Possessing these fighters means that Egypt will enter the club of major air forces in the region with advanced offensive and defensive capabilities, but at the same time it puts it before a difficult political and logistical test.

In light of the rapid geopolitical changes, Cairo seems determined to build an air force capable of deterrence and control, ensuring its national security and maintaining its position as a regional power to be reckoned with.

As the above news, with other similar news coming from Africa, We find the Islam is going to be a bigger crime to Africans as compared to the Evil deeds of history of Christianity in the same Africa

What's need of F15 in Africa, who are A2A competitors/neibours of Egypt?

American arms are mainly means for external interference in a certain country, and in fact, it's the whole Arab League who are at least F16 countries

 

[ST1976]

I say WE ALL (Pakistanis) should leave these Arabs in their high-palaces and just wait for the day of reckoning when we all will wake up and see events similar to what happened in DOHA recently......hehehe

Then we can disect what really took place......until then........let them purchase everything they can from the west/usa......

why should we care anymore, its their money and their investments........

We really need to stop caring about the gulf or all these Kinglets/kingdoms.

Let's just wait, and see when these arabs actually use these platforms in a real battle and not some air shows.

So go ahead Egypt and go ahead KSA and all gulfs........I/we got no issues.....

MUBARAK to all those purchases !!

This is an incompetent statement

But Yes, now we do see lesser resistance left in Gulf nations than before, to their Islamic relation to Africa ......

 

[That_Guy]

Yes the AIM-120 C8 can shoot down a F-35. Not sure why you think it can't? The F-15 will have to overcome the same limitations as the Su-35, J-10's or any other legacy platforms when engaging a VLO platform i.e. reduced detection and engagement range inside 20 NM the F-35 is vulnerable. So are you saying all 4.X Gen fighters are now obsolete? I'm not sure why Egypt plans to procure the F-15 either. I know they don't plan to fight Israel. Their survival depends on the river Nile so I get the need for lethal long range platforms to dissuade Countries upstream from restrictive damming of the river. Calling the potential acquisition 'vanity' isn't fair. Water security is something that keeps leaders in the Middle East and North Africa up at night.

Oh come on, you know what I meant. You even just explained it. How likely is it for Egypt's fleet of fighters to get close enough to shoot down the F-35, before being shot down itself? Very unlikely.

The new fighters may be able to counter Israel's 4th gen fleet, but Egypt won't face Israel's 4th gen fleet.

Considering Israel is well on its way to have +80 f-35Is, the Egyptians won't even face Israel's older F-15/16s and Mirage/Kfirs.

I maintain this is a vanity purchase.

 

[_Arabia_]

What are people even discussing in this thread?

Even if Egypt woke up tomorrow morning and decided to attack Israel (extremely unlikely - geopolitically the rise of Ethiopia and the whole topic of the Nile is of a much bigger importance to the survival of Egypt as a state), no amount of fighter jets, not US, not Russian, not Chinese or Martian, would put Egypt ahead of Israel simply due to the simple fact that the US/West would come to the rescue of Israel as they did in prior conflicts. Even more so today.

Pakistan would not be any different here.

Only somewhat equal would be China and Russia (solely due to nukes and the risk of mutual destruction).

Against Ethiopia and terrorist groups within the vicinity of Egypt, this is more than enough and if it helps solidify the alliance with US/being on good terms, even better for the Egyptian military.

Of course the F-35 would be much better but good luck with that with the parasitic Jewish lobby and its influence in the US.

Even a long-term ally like KSA, whose alliance/partnership with the US predates the "birth" of Israel as a country, we are yet to see the F-35 being cleared for export to KSA. I want to see it before I fully believe it despite the constant rumors in the past few weeks.

It is pretty simple, the nuclear-armed regional implant (Israel) is fully protected politically, economically and militarily 24/7 by the US and combined West.

If the genocide in Gaza did not ONCE AGAIN confirm this for the entire world to see, I don't know what will.

It is this reality that Egypt has to navigate in and everyone else in the region.