With one of the most eclectic air forces in the world, Egypt can count on a new fighter soon. According to sources from Il Fatto Quotidiano, the African country would be one step away from closing an agreement to acquire various weapons via Italy, including 24 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
The package is more extensive and also includes the advanced trainer M-346, four frigates, 20 patrol vessels and a satellite, which reach the figure of $3 billion.
Negotiations have been going on for three years and depend only on the confirmation of the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Dargi, according to sources at Il Fatto Quotidiano.
The still sparse information attributes to Leonardo, an Italian manufacturer, 60% of the revenue from the package. The Eurofighter Typhoon program has Airbus, BAE Systems and the Italian group as partners.
The 4th generation European fighter has suffered several defeats in international competitions, unlike its more direct rival, the Dassault Rafale.
The Egyptian Air Force is one of the largest external customers for the aircraft, with 54 firm orders. In addition to the Rafale, the Egyptians operate a huge variety of fighter jets such as the F-16, the Mirage 5 and 2000 and the Russian MiG-29 and Su-35.
Also, in March, the commander of US military forces in the Middle East, General Frank McKenzie, declared during a Senate session that the Joe Biden administration should soon approve the sale of F-15 Eagle fighter jets to the Egyptian Air Force.
