Egypt is waiting to receive the first delivery of the newly advanced Extended-Range Multiple Launch Rocket System that it concluded with the United States.
US officials were quoted by Middle East Newsline (MENL) as saying that “the first delivery of the system will take place next year.”
The US President George W. Bush administration and Congress have approved a $72.2 million deal for the supply of more than 400 extended-range MLRS rocket pods to Egypt.
The Pentagon has awarded the contract, which included 26 extended-range MLRS systems, fire-control panels and 485 rocket pods, to Lockheed Martin.
"The proposed sale of ER-MLRS will allow the Egyptian Army to continue developing a defensive area fire capability to counter hostile long-range artillery and enhance its interoperability with US forces," a statement by the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency said upon the proposal.
"Egypt needs the Sincgars radios to fulfill its strategic commitments for complete communications interoperability and standardization of equipment and to be able to communicate with its various vehicles and US forces," the American Defense ministry said, noting that it holds a good relation with Egypt.
The US approval marks the first sale of the MLRS to Egypt.
US industry sources said the sale was approved despite the objections of pro-Israeli lobbyists in Washington, it added – Albawaba.com
