Russia and Egypt in talks on Ka-52 deliveries for Mistral helicopter carriers

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Why has Egypt gone all Russia ... with Saudi and American money?

Egypt bought MiG-29M/M2 and Ka-52.

 

[Bengal71]

Why Egypt Consulted Russia to Strengthen Mistral Helo Carriers?

According to an article of TASS agency, Russia is holding consultations with Egypt on the deliveries of armament and Ka-52 attack helicopters for Mistral amphibious assault ships, Head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said in the run-up to the Russia-Africa Summit opening in Sochi on Wednesday (23rd Oct).

“The issue on the agenda is to further outfit Mistral ships with our armament and Ka-52 helicopters. We have quite serious cooperation with that country,” Shugayev stated in an interview with a TV Channel.

Russia is currently holding consultations on the deliveries of rotorcraft, electronic warfare and air defense systems, the defense official said, stressing that Egypt “is a leading partner not only on the continent but generally in the sphere of military and technical cooperation.”

Shugayev said in October 2018 that the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation expected to reach an agreement in the immediate future on further outfitting the Egyptian Mistral helicopter carriers and supplying Ka-52 gunships for them.

Why Egypt has consulted to Russia?

These talks are quite interesting. As we know clear, politics commonly have “no yesterday”. Egypt received the Mistral universal amphibious assault ships initially built for Russia in 2016, because of the crisis occurred in Ukraine. Russia later offered Egypt advanced armament, electronic warfare and communications systems for installing them on the helicopter carriers. Now Russia is modernizing a warship which is built for them but delivered to another country, an ally of a rival (U.S.).

While procuring the Mistral Helicopter Carriers, France refused to give attack helicopters, so, they need attack helicopters to embark on Mistrals. Egypt is the ally of the United States receiving the highest military aid FMS (Foreign Military Sale), armed with strong weapons. Amid the conflict at East Mediterranean, Egypt has the most powerful navy at axis against Turkey. Probably they want to empower their force shift capability in order to improve deterrence at Exclusive Economic Zone.

When we read the article of the TASS, a question appears in mind. Why is Egypt keeping talks to strengthen their most powerful ships with Russia, not the U.S.? If we take a quick look at recent incidents, the U.S. government led by Trump has been intending to withdraw forces from Syria and some of the Middle East. They see the biggest problem at Pacific and establish the center of power in the vicinity of Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. surely should be aware of talks between Russia and Egypt and they took no action for that. Should we think that Russia is becoming the most effective country in middle east? Or the U.S. leaving the “first country” chair to Russia that they got from the United Kingdom after World War-II? We cannot say “yes” or “no”. But we will see.

https://navalnews.net/why-egypt-con...h9wIe9kXK0_wABb8MWdIsybrdCjJ8ZtT2GWbrwtO72uRw

These ships were built for Russia and not delivered because of Ukraine crisis. Maybe the Russians have an understanding with the French that they sell to Egypt, then Russia equips the ships to their liking and then Egypt sells them to Russia.

 

[Philip the Arab]

These ships were built for Russia and not delivered because of Ukraine crisis. Maybe the Russians have an understanding with the French that they sell to Egypt, then Russia equips the ships to their liking and then Egypt sells them to Russia.

It would have been better if Egypt had bought a full blown aircraft carrier that could at least carry Rafale-M. You think it would be possible if Egypt ever got F-35Bs to integrate them on this carrier. Hell, I wouldn't even care if Tejas naval could be integrated.

 

[Saddam Hussein]

It would have been better if Egypt had bought a full blown aircraft carrier that could at least carry Rafale-M. You think it would be possible if Egypt ever got F-35Bs to integrate them on this carrier. Hell, I wouldn't even care if Tejas naval could be integrated.

High operational cost, Egypt isn't as wealthy as France

 

[Philip the Arab]

High operational cost, Egypt isn't as wealthy as France

I know, maybe F-35Bs could be used?

 

[Amun]

Those Mistrals are meant to be for Russia but due to Ukrainian issue , France stopped delivering them to Russia.

Egypt now is equipping them mainly with Russian gears which are originally fir to those specific versions of Mistrals... be it communication , EW or even Helicopters.

There are 3 updates in this issue:
1- the Egyptian Mistrals are operating the 2 systems ( Glonas and GPS) just in case
2- There is a military communication satellite will be launched next month for overseas communications ( which will make the Mistrals fully operational).
3- the 4 MIKO Frigates ( 3 will be built in Germany and 1 in Egypt) will be equipped by Umkhonto AD missiles with +45 KM Range that can make AD umbrella to Mistrals in both northern and southern fleets.

 

[MaRv]