Upgrade for Egyptian air defences

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The US is to help Egypt upgrade its Amoun (Skyguard) gun-missile air defence artillery system at an estimated cost of US$77 million. The US will provide Egypt solid-state transmitters to replace equipment that is “over 30 years old, obsolete, or non-functional.”

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified the US Congress that it may sell 40 solid-state transmitters to support the upgrade of the Amoun’s ground-launched Sparrow medium-range air defence missile’s launcher/illuminator system. Also on the cards are associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
“The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 40 Skyguard Amoun Solid-State Transmitters to support the upgrade of the Skyguard-SPARROW Launcher/Illuminator System,” the DSCA says. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documents, and US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The wikipedia notes the Egyptian air defence command fields 40 Amoun batteries, grouped into 18 battalions and four training batteries. A battery consists of two 4-cell missile launchers and two Oerlikon GDF-005 twin 35mm guns with the Skyguard Fire Control System.

The DSCA says the proposed sale “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale is consistent with these US objectives and with the 1950 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

Pic: A Skyguard system in Greek service