2023-06-30 21:02:26
Iran has concluded a deal to buy Russian Su-35 fighter jets. Is it those planes that were produced for Egypt?
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its newly released report that Egypt, Russia’s second largest arms buyer, “has canceled a large order for fighter jets with Moscow in 2022”.
It did not say which plane Cairo was about to buy, but it is known that Egypt was eyeing the Sukhoi Su-35.
The United States has openly expressed its unease about Egypt’s interest in the Su-35. The issue was raised when Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on a phone call in February 2021. Blinken told Shoukry that the United States was looking closely at Egyptian plans to purchase 24 Su-35s, a contract valued at $2 billion. dollar. Israel also gave its approval to the US sale of F-15 Advanced Eagle fighter jets to Egypt.
“In the case of Egypt, I think we have the good news that we are going to provide them with F-15s, which has been a long, hard drive,” Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, head of the US Central Command, during March 2022
At a Senate hearing.
The SIPRI report said the Sukhoi deal had been canceled “possibly due to US pressure,” adding to the speculation.
In June 2022, the Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said it was building an unspecified number of Su-35s “for a foreign customer.” Analysts said that these planes could have been manufactured for Egypt.
Shahryar Heydari, a member of Parliament and the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said in January this year that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) will operate 24 Su-35 aircraft in March.
With Iran confirming the Su-35 deal that its air force will receive in March, officials said, it is likely that Iran’s Su-35s are the ones made for Cairo.
Iran’s Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Vahidi, said on a TV program in September 2022 that Iran was purchasing 24 Su-35Es “from Egypt’s order, which has not yet been delivered due to pressure from the United States.”
General Vahidi added that at least 64 Su-35 aircraft will be purchased from Russia
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