lol. If I understand the Dutch flavor in that saying, it's the same as "thumbing your nose at..."?
If so, then no, I don't do that and actually quite the opposite. While the Algerian navy was getting bashed on another thread, it was yours truly who stepped in in support of objectivity and showed the Algerian navy to be pretty respectable, considering the territorial waters it needs to defend. But taking that into account, it's not nearly enough to adequately protect Algeria's coasts.
When I said "no significant concern," the emphasis was on 'concern.' I'm sure the Egyptian brass is very aware of all the players in the region and the level of attention and influence with regards to strategic balance and potential adversarial threats, but the bulk of its attention is more specific to the defense of its assets than being on par with others in the region. And IMO, I think it would be almost inconsequential when it comes to Algeria. There's a historic ally-ship that exists between the two countries so it would be more of a cooperative relationship, despite the occasional, infamous "Arab" squabble we tend to have with one another. But given the geopolitical climate and the way things can change in a minute, sure, there would be a need to pay attention to what they're doing, but I think that's as far as it goes.
Egypt is also forming strong support in form of allies. You look at the navy and it's working with the US, of course, but Italy, Greece and France. There is strength in that as well.
Sure, no argument there.
I like the sailboat El-Mellah (and I'm not being sarcastic about that). I think it's use as a tool for teaching sailors the fundamentals of seamanship in it's most traditional sense is an outstanding school of thought. I'm a boater myself so I tend to appreciate these things.
El-Mellah
I understood what you meant. My point was that the concern for the Egyptian navy is not as influenced by these others with perhaps the exception of Turkey because of the political tension that currently exists. But even that has a limit to as far as the specific needs of Egypt itself. The navy's primary concerns are the Suez Canal, coastal boarder security and fast reaction missions. The Med. gas fields and the proliferation of refugees from Libya with potential terrorism ties into that. There's also recent cooperation with NATO wrt to the specific refugee problem and Egypt's elevating its role in curbing these people trying to flee into Europe.
Egypt's naval helicopter fleet and support.
- 8 E-2C Hawkeye AEWC
- 13 SH-2G Super Seasprite Electronic/Navigation Suite upgraded to Egyptian Navy requirements.
- 4 Sea King Commando dedicated EW
- 2 Sea King ASW
- 9 SA-342 Gazelle Maritime patrol
- 2 Agusta Westaland AW-139 SAR
- 36 Ka-52 Katran naval attack helos (just ordered a few weeks ago)