Egypt requests $1Bn FMS for 10 AH-64E Apache helicopters.

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of ten AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters for an estimated cost of $1.0 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on November 27, 2018.

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache pilots assigned to Task Force Griffin, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division land for fuel in Kunduz, Afghanistan, May 31, 2017
(Credit: Capt. Brian Harris/16th Combat Aviation Brigade/US Army)

Egypt has requested to buy 10 AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters, 24 1700-GE-701D Engines, with containers, 12 Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sights/Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS), 24 Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with Inertial Navigation System (INS) (EGI) (20 installed, 4 spares), 24 M299 HELLFIRE Launchers, 135 HELLFIRE Missiles, five M36E9 Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) AGM-114R, and 12 AAR-57 (V) Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS). 

Also included are M230 30mm Automatic Guns, AVR-2 B Laser Detecting Sets, AN/ARC 201E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), AN/APR- 39D Radar Warning Receivers, AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Goggles, AN/ASN Doppler Radar Systems. Also included in the request are avionic-related software support for the Aviation Mission Planning Systems (AMPS), survivability equipment, and communication and electronic equipment, 

"Egypt intends to expand its existing fleet of multi-mission heavy attack helicopters to address U.S.-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula that undermine regional stability. This sale will contribute to Egypt's military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the U.S., and other allies," the DSCA stated.

The Egyptian Air Force placed an initial order for 36 AH-64A helicopters in 1995. The whole fleet was modernized to the AH-64D configuration in the early 2000s. Egypt requested a further 12 AH-64D Block II Apaches with Longbow radars through a Foreign Military Sale in 2009.