Egypt tries to establish air superiority with jets and missile defense systems
Egypt is trying to gain air superiority with more military fixed-wing aircraft and ground-based missile defense systems to strengthen its defense against increasing regional tensions and threats
Egypt’s recent defense platform purchases reflect a growing need to safeguard regional airspace. This is driven by tensions with Ethiopia, political instability, terrorism in Libya, Sinai Peninsula attacks, and maritime security worries along the Suez Canal. These factors pushed Egypt to modernize its military equipment, which is largely Soviet-era and outdated.
Furthermore, as stated in GlobalData’s most recent “Egypt Defense Market Report, 2024-2029”, Egypt’s ambition to achieve air superiority is a crucial factor influencing the nation’s defense spending. This is demonstrated by the allocation of significant funds toward the acquisition of fighter jets and the development of missile defense systems.
The primary factors driving defense spending are the efforts to modernize the Egyptian armed forces, the promotion of domestic industry, and the continuation of military conflicts. Egypt’s defense expenditures prioritize military fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and missile defense systems, and military ground vehicles. The procurement programs include the purchase of Rafale-DM/EM, CH-47F Chinook, and ST-100 MRAP.
Egypt plans to improve its fleet of warplanes by purchasing an additional 30 Rafale F4 warplanes in addition to the 24 already received from France. This purchasing deal, valued at $4.5 billion, is expected to take place between 2027 and 2036.
Furthermore, the U.S. embargo on Russian military systems directly impacts Egypt’s plans to modernize its air fleet. Consequently, the Egyptian government wants to purchase F-15s from the U.S. since it is unable to buy Sukhoi-35 jets. Ultimately, Egypt’s intention to acquire the Indian-origin Akash surface-to-air missile defense system will increase the country’s defense spending. According to reports, Egypt allocated a $3.8 billion budget for this objective.
Egypt’s defense expenditures, including the U.S. foreign military financing (FMF) provided, increased from $2.3 billion in 2020 to $2.7 billion in 2024. It is estimated that Egyptian defense and security expenditure, which includes financing from the U.S. FMF program, will increase from $5.4 billion in 2025 to $6.1 billion in 2029 during the forecast period of 2025-29.
