Why a Russian fighter deal to Egypt anger Washington?

News of an advanced Russian Sukhoi 35 fighter jet deal for Egypt has sparked US anger that has threatened Cairo with sanctions if the deal is completed.While no official Egyptian response has been issued, questions are raised about US concerns and whether Cairo will yield to the threats.

The deal, unveiled by Russia's Kommersant newspaper last April, would see Egypt get more than 20 Sukhoi 35 fighter jets for $ 2 billion. The contract went into effect and deliveries could begin in 2020-2021.

According to the Wall Street Journal a few days ago, the US Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State addressed a letter to the Egyptian Minister of Defense that the conclusion of this deal could lead to sanctions on Egypt, and that "new and large arms deals with Russia will affect cooperation agreements in Future defense between the United States and Egypt, and on aid to Egypt to ensure its security. "

The deal continues
Although there was no clear Egyptian response to the US warning, the English-language Daily News quoted a senior Egyptian official as saying that "Egypt is an independent sovereign state that does not receive orders from other countries regarding its domestic or foreign policies." He considered that the US warning does not make sense and should not be taken seriously, stressing that the deal is continuing and will not be stopped under any circumstances.

The official, who did not give his name, stressed that Egypt will not allow any party or decision-maker to interfere in its affairs, because it considers this a violation of the rights of sovereignty, which it considers a red line.

This statement also coincided with statements by Major General Naji Shahoud, advisor at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, who said that Egypt would not allow anyone to give it orders to obtain a weapon, considering that the American threat is aimed at knowing Egypt's reaction.

Previous positions
Egyptian national security expert Ahmed Refaat Faragh said Egypt would not heed US threats based on similar positions he said were related to national security and arming the army, most notably when Washington threatened to halt aid to Egypt, detain it for the Apache deal and prevent it from supplying Egypt with spare parts for F-16 fighter jets. .

According to Rifaat to Russian media, Cairo in these three positions did not ask Washington to reconsider its positions, but resorted to alternatives through the purchase of helicopters from Russia and the conclusion of a deal with France for the purchase of Rafale aircraft.

Egypt has a variety of fighter jets, most notably the French Rafale, the "F-16" and the "Russian MiG-29", so why seek to acquire the Russian Sukhoi 35 and anger the American ally to the extent of threatening sanctions? Why all this American concern, especially since Washington has not yet responded to an Egyptian request to buy F-35 fighter jets, which observers say the United States prohibits its sale in the Middle East except Israel?

Is American anger related to the balance of power in the region, which Washington wants to always be in Israel's favor? Or does the US not want Russia to get a share of its sales of weapons and fighter aircraft in the Middle East? This is evident in the Russian S400 missile deal to Turkey, which Ankara was punished for leaving the US F-35 program.

In this context, the former pilot in the Egyptian forces, Mr. Khedr believes that the United States will never give Egypt air sovereignty, so the Cairo Cairo to Russia to get the Sukhoi 35 fighter decision was timely and timely.

Khadr stressed in remarks carried by Russian media that the nature of regional conflicts necessitates Egypt to complete the deal, stressing that the combat capabilities of the Sukhoi 35 plane is no less efficient than the American F-35.

Unfair competition
The Russian comment on the US threats to Egypt came from Andrei Krasov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, who considered the threat an unfair attempt to compete in the arms market, and an effort by Washington to promote its economic and geopolitical interests.

Alexei Kondratiev, a member of the International Committee of the Russian Federation (Senate), considered the US threats against Egypt to be contrary to international arms trade rules.

Kondratev told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that Washington has no right to interfere in commercial transactions "This is not allowed," noting that there is high competition in the arms market, and the US side as usual is trying to use pressure.

The fourth-generation Sukhoi 35 is classified as a sovereign fighter, also called an "armored knight," capable of carrying out aerial sweeps of enemy skies, imposing aerial control in the skies of the battle, neutralizing all hostile flight movements, and providing full cover for troops. Ground and for multi-mission friendly fighters during their offensive missions.

The Sukhoi 35 can carry up to eight tons of bombs and missiles at 12 suspension points, has excellent maneuverability in the air engagement, and has characteristics that meet the requirements of the fifth generation of aircraft, and equipped with network radar and two engines can be thrusted, and modern smart weapons allow Its monitoring and destruction of 10 air and ground targets simultaneously at a great distance and high accuracy.