The U.S. State Department on Tuesday approved two major military equipment sales to Egypt of transport aircraft and radar systems,…
despite ongoing concerns about the human rights situation in Egypt. The sale of 12 C-130 J Super Hercules transports and related equipment is worth $2.2 billion. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale, which has not yet been finalized, “will enhance Egypt’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing airlift support to its forces by transferring supplies, equipment and people. The aircraft can also be used for maritime patrol and rescue missions. In a second agreement, Egypt will purchase $355 million worth of air defense systems. The deals come despite continued unease in Washington over Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s harsh treatment of political opponents, with human rights groups estimating that Egypt holds about 60,000 political prisoners. In September, the State Department suspended $130 million in military aid already earmarked for Egypt because of the country’s failure to improve its human rights record. And in early November, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Egypt in bilateral talks to make “tangible and lasting improvements” on human rights. For fiscal year 2022, which began Oct. 1, 2021, the U.S. administration has budgeted $1.4 billion in bilateral assistance for Cairo, most of it military in nature, the same as the previous year.