Egyptian Air Defense

[muhammed45]

I think like Morocco, and UAE, Eygpt should ask for the the SkyLock Dome and Barak MX systems. A very good defense systems.

Ziaulislam. What a nickname, and this nickname is asking for purchasing of Israeli defense systems by Egypt.

Change your name with ZiaulJudaism.

 

[The SC]

From S-300VM to HQ-9B.. How Egypt is building a multi-layered air defense umbrella​

The Egyptian Air Defense Forces are witnessing a massive restructuring and development phase, considered one of the largest in the region, within a path that reflects a gradual transition towards building a multi-layered protection umbrella capable of dealing with various forms of modern air threats. This development comes in the context of Egypt's possession of one of the most diverse defense infrastructures, relying on a mixture of Russian, Chinese, European and American systems, which gives it the ability to cover a wide spectrum extending from ballistic missiles all the way to low-footprint drones.

The Egyptian Air Defense Forces include approximately 80,000 individuals in active service, supported by approximately 70,000 in reserve. This force is tasked with protecting highly sensitive strategic axes, most notably the Suez Canal area and the depths of Sinai, in addition to cities and vital centers within the country. Since its establishment in 1968, these forces have moved from traditional systems based on old Soviet technologies to a modern missile architecture based on networking and digital command and control.



At the level of long-range defenses, Cairo has strengthened its capabilities by introducing four battalions of the Russian S-300VM system into service since 2015. It is a system capable of intercepting air targets at a distance of up to 200 kilometers and an altitude of 30 kilometers, with the ability to confront aircraft, winged and ballistic missiles, and even some unmanned threats. This system is characterized by its flexibility of movement and its reliance on advanced phased radars that allow for rapid response and multiple targets.

In the same context, Egypt expanded the scope of its air umbrella by introducing the Chinese HQ-9B system, where four batteries equipped with HT-233D radars were deployed, capable of monitoring complex targets including stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles at distances that may reach 300 kilometers. This integration between the Russian and Chinese systems contributed to the creation of overlapping coverage areas that enhance the depth of defensive deterrence and protect vital infrastructure.



As for the medium defense layer, it is based on a diverse mix of systems, most notably the German IRIS-T SLM systems, of which Egypt operates a number of batteries, along with various versions such as the SLX and SLS, in addition to the Russian Buk-M2 system that has been in service since 2013. These systems provide the ability to intercept air targets at an average range of up to about 45 kilometers, with the ability to deal with several targets at the same time, including aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.



In the lower layer (short range), Egypt relies on a multi-source short-range defense network that includes the Russian Tor-M2, the American Avenger, and the French Crotale NG, which are systems designed to provide direct protection against fast threats or swarms of drones. Some older systems, such as Hawk, Kub, Chaparral, and Shilka, also continue in service after undergoing modernization operations that included improving monitoring systems and linking them to modern command and control networks.



This integrated defense structure is based on a central command and control network that relies on early warning radars of multiple models, including the American ATPS-78, the French Thales GM400, and the Russian Protivnik-GE and Rezonans-NE, all linked to a secure communications structure based on optical fibers. This integration gives Egyptian forces the ability to manage airspace in a complex combat environment and deal with multi-directional threats simultaneously.

The impact of this development is not limited to the direct military dimension, but rather extends to a broader strategic level, as the introduction of the S-300VM and HQ-9B systems contributed to expanding the scope of air protection in an unprecedented manner, and raising the level of overlap between the various layers of defense, thus enhancing the difficulty of penetrating them. This update also reflects Egypt's position as a major regional military power, within a global classification that places it in an advanced position and confirms its leadership in the Arab world.



This development comes in a highly sensitive regional context, characterized by continuing tensions around Libya and Syria, in addition to the security situation between Arab countries and Iran, which imposes the need for an air defense system capable of confronting drones, cruise missiles, and even potential ballistic threats.

From a political-military perspective, the diversity of arms sources between Russia, China, Europe, and the United States reflects a clear trend towards reducing dependence on one party and expanding the margin of strategic independence, ensuring continuity of operation and maintenance and giving Cairo greater flexibility in the face of geopolitical pressures.

The Egyptian air defense modernization program reflects a vision based on building a gradual and interconnected deterrent force that combines technical depth and operational flexibility, and maintains Egypt’s military superiority in its Arab and regional surroundings, with an increasing ability to influence the balance of power in the Middle East.

 

[The SC]

Egypt is the first export customer for the IRIS-T SLM system​

Egypt is the first export customer for the German IRIS-T SLM air defense system, after it signed a contract to acquire seven batteries as part of a wide program to modernize the Egyptian air defense network and enhance its ability to confront modern air threats. This deal has aroused great interest because it represents one of the largest contracts to export the system outside Germany, and it has also brought into Egyptian service a system that is classified among the most advanced medium-range air defense systems in Europe.

The IRIS-T SLM system provides the ability to intercept fighter aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and helicopters at distances of up to approximately 40 km and altitudes of 20 km, taking advantage of the famous IRIS-T missile derived from the air-to-air missile that has proven very effective in service with many European air forces. The system also features modern radars and a high ability to engage multiple targets at the same time, making it suitable for dealing with complex air attacks.

The Egyptian deal is of particular importance in light of Cairo's efforts to build a multi-layered air defense network that includes American, Russian, French and German systems, which gives the Egyptian Armed Forces great flexibility in confronting various types of air threats. The introduction of the IRIS-T SLM also adds a sophisticated layer between the short-range air defense systems and the long-range systems already in the Egyptian arsenal.

 

[The SC]

"Egyptian fly detector".
A giant radar network challenges stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles​

Over the past years, Egypt has succeeded in building one of the most advanced and complex early warning and air surveillance networks in the region, based on a combination of Russian, American, and European radars, in addition to developing locally made systems, all of which form an integrated system capable of detecting various types of air threats, from stealth aircraft to ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.

The Egyptian radar and early warning network is one of the most advanced and complex air monitoring systems in the world. Military reports even indicated that NATO experts described its level of integration as among the strongest in the world, due to its great ability to monitor airspace and detect various types of air threats quickly and efficiently. Some call it the “fly detector” in reference to its accuracy and ability to detect both small and large targets.

This system is based on an integrated mix of Russian, American, European, and Chinese radars, in addition to radars that were developed or manufactured locally within Egypt. This network carries out aerial surveys at all altitudes, from very low, through medium and high, to high altitudes. It also uses multiple frequency bands that allow it to detect targets with a low radar signature, including stealth aircraft.

The Egyptian early warning system is not limited to radars only, but also includes visual reconnaissance battalions equipped with day and night vision devices and thermal binoculars, which gives it an additional ability to monitor targets flying at very low altitudes, whether in day or night conditions. All of these means are linked to an advanced command, control and communications network (C4I and C5I), which integrates data received from various radars and warning devices with air defense units and missile and artillery launchers, in addition to the air, naval and ground forces, to form a unified and very complex command and control system.

This network allows instant data exchange between fighters, interception aircraft, early warning aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare systems, as well as surface ships equipped with air defense and early warning radars, allowing the building of a unified operational picture of the battlefield.



Russian stealth Hunter

Since Israel possessed stealth aircraft that were inaccessible to radars, Egypt did not rest until it reached a huge deal with Russia that guaranteed it possession of the Russian long-range early warning and aerial survey radar “Resonance-NE,” which Egypt contracted to provide an advanced ability to detect stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, in addition to air targets flying at speeds exceeding the speed of sound. This radar can track up to 500 aerial targets simultaneously, including targets flying at hypersonic speeds and targets flying at very low speeds such as helicopters in a stationary position in the air, with the ability to operate in all weather conditions.

The coverage range of this radar against projectiles and ballistic missiles reaches about 1,100 kilometers, and it has the ability to calculate the areas where ballistic missiles will fall even in light of exposure to electronic jamming operations. As for air targets, it can detect them at a maximum altitude of 100 km while providing guidance data to air defense systems up to a range of approximately 300 km.

Among the most prominent things that Egypt possesses is the Russian long-range early warning radar 59N6 Protivnik-GE, which is a three-dimensional radar with a detection range of about 400 kilometers, and can monitor targets at altitudes of up to 200 kilometers, with the ability to track fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft, and transport aircraft, as well as ballistic missiles. It can also deal with hundreds of air targets simultaneously.

The network also includes two-dimensional Russian P-14 warning radars with a range of about 600 kilometers and a height of 50 kilometers. It is distinguished by having advanced systems to protect against electronic interference, with the ability to identify and track sources of interference, in addition to processing data on more than 120 targets within just 10 seconds.

Cairo was not satisfied with these systems, but also introduced the famous Russian P-18 radar, which gained wide fame after its contribution to detecting the American stealth plane that was shot down by Serbian air defenses during the Kosovo War. This radar is characterized by the use of advanced digital processors for radar signals and advanced data processing systems, with a direct link to remote air defense units, as well as possessing means of resistance to interference and electronic obstruction.

The detection range of this P-18 radar is about 270 kilometers at an altitude of up to 35 kilometers, and it can detect targets flying at an altitude of 500 meters from a distance of approximately 60 kilometers, in addition to its contribution to electronic warfare and counter-jamming operations.



The Egyptian system also includes the Russian 96L6 radar used with long-range air defense systems such as the S-300VM, in addition to the Buk-M and Tor systems. It is distinguished by its ability to detect targets up to a range of approximately 300 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 100 kilometers, with great resistance to electronic warfare and jamming means.

Among the Russian radars is also the Podlet-K1 three-dimensional radar, which is designed to monitor air targets flying at low and very low altitudes, such as cruise missiles, drones, and helicopters, in addition to fighters with a small radar footprint. It is distinguished by its ability to provide early warning against threats that attempt to penetrate air defenses at low altitudes.

Silent detection

In the field of passive radars, Egypt has advanced Russian systems that rely on the principle of silent detection, as they do not send radar waves like traditional radars, but rather rely on capturing and analyzing electromagnetic radiation emanating from the targets themselves, which makes detecting the location of the radar almost impossible for enemy aircraft. Egypt possesses the Russian-made POST 3M radar, which is considered the most powerful type of passive radar due to its ability to detect various types of aircraft, including stealth aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, and early warning aircraft, at distances of up to 800 kilometers. It also analyzes target frequencies, determines their direction and speed, with the ability to quickly switch between different frequency bands, which makes it one of the most advanced means of monitoring in the field of silent detection.

From Britain, Egypt has the Commander SL, a long-range three-dimensional radar dedicated to aerial survey tasks and identifying the enemy and friend, and is distinguished by its high ability to resist electronic interference. The range of this radar reaches about 470 kilometers, with the ability to detect a target flying at an altitude of 50 meters from a distance of approximately 200 kilometers.



These radars can also detect aircraft, drones, smart munitions, and long-range missiles that are launched from outside the air defense range, in addition to their reliance on the electronic identification system (IFF), which allows distinguishing between friendly and hostile aircraft using electronic response devices.

As for the United States, it has provided Egypt with a number of advanced aerial survey radars, including the AN/SPS-48 three-dimensional radar capable of covering 360 degrees and detecting dozens of targets simultaneously, with the ability to monitor aircraft flying at various altitudes, whether very high or very low, in addition to detecting supersonic aircraft, helicopters, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, with a range of up to about 400 kilometers. These radars provide accurate data on distance, altitude, and direction, with the possibility of exchanging information and linking it to various weapon systems, ensuring rapid response and dealing with air threats.

Egypt also possesses an American AN/TPS-59 long-range multi-dimensional radar with a range of up to 750 kilometers, which specializes in detecting ballistic and tactical missiles, and works in integration with the Patriot and Hawk missile batteries. This radar can detect aircraft at a distance of up to 550 km and at an altitude of 30 km, while it can detect ballistic missiles up to an altitude of approximately 300 km.



Local Egyptian radars

As part of the localization of technology, Egypt obtained an American AN/TPS-63 radar, then began assembling it locally before moving on to gradually manufacturing it, where the proportion of the local component reached about 47% in the first phase, then rose to 75% in the second phase, and reached about 95% in the third phase, becoming an advanced Egyptian radar based on the original American design.

This radar is characterized by conducting two-dimensional aerial surveys up to a range of about 280 km and a maximum height of 12 km, with the ability to detect air targets at distances of up to 150 km, while the new Egyptian version ESR-32A witnessed improvements that raised the monitoring capacity to about 250 km at an altitude of up to 12 km.

The Egyptian radar development project was launched in conjunction with programs to manufacture fire control systems, and appeared for the first time during the EDEX 2018 exhibition, before turning into the nucleus for developing an Egyptian 3D radar dedicated to early warning and aerial survey tasks.

This network is integrated with the radars of various air defense systems, including the S-300VM, Buk-M, Tor-M, and other Russian systems, in addition to the Italian Skyguard systems, and other radar systems operating within the Egyptian command and control network.

Thanks to this great diversity of armament sources, reliance on active and passive monitoring techniques, and complete electronic connectivity between various systems, the Egyptian early warning network has become one of the most complex networks in the region, and is capable of dealing with various types of air threats, whether they are stealth planes, conventional fighters, ballistic or cruise missiles, or drones, which has given it a wide reputation as one of the most powerful air surveillance and air defense systems in the Middle East.