12:29 GMT, October 15, 2009 defpro.com | The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) last week notified US Congress of a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to Egypt of 24 F-16 fighter aircraft and associated parts weapons and equipment, as well as other Non-major defence equipment (MDE) and construction services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3.2 billion.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft installed with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPE) and APG-68(V)9 radars. A contract would further comprise 6 F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 IPE spare engines, 6 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets, 60 LAU-129/A Common Rail Launchers, 28 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Systems without Mode IV, and 28 M61 20mm Vulcan Cannons.

Non-MDE Equipment will comprise 28 AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Systems (AIDEWS); or Advanced Countermeasures Electronic Systems (ACES) which includes the AN/ALQ-187 Electronic Warfare System and the AN/ALR-93 Radar Warning Receiver, as well as 28 AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGAR) radios without HAVE QUICK I/II. Furthermore, Egypt would receive 4 F-9120 Advanced Airborne Reconnaissance Systems or DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods, 28 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with Standard Positioning Service commercial code only, 12 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pods or AN/AAQ-28LITENING Targeting Pods, 24 pairs of Conformal Fuel Tanks, and28 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems.

This major deal with Egypt would also include base construction work, support equipment, software development/integration, tanker support, ferry services, Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD), repair and return, modification kits, spares and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

According to the DSCA, the proposed sale will allow the Egyptian Air Force to modernize its aging air force by acquiring new fighter aircraft, thereby enabling Egypt to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. The proposed sale also involves the following companies:

• Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control
• Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support
• BAE Advanced Systems
• Boeing Corporation
• Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
• Raytheon Company
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems
• Pratt & Whitney United Technology Company
• General Electric Aircraft Engines
• Goodrich ISR Systems
• L3 Communications
• ITT Defense Electronics and Services
• Symetrics Industries

There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. The integration of this new asset into the Egyptian Air Force will be supported by technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of 15 years through U.S. government officials and industry representatives.