Raytheon to supply Egyptian army with TOW 2A missiles.

The U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency on May 19 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles, Support, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $691 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
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Firing of a TOW 2 missile (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The Government of Egypt has requested to buy five 5,000 TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) missiles, BGM-71E-4B-RF; and 70 TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) missiles, BGM-71E-4B-RF (Fly-to-Buy Lot Acceptance missiles). Also included are missile support equipment; technical manuals/publications; spare parts; tool and test equipment; training; U.S. Government technical and logistical support, contractor technical support, and other associated equipment and services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $691 million.

The proposed sale will enhance Egypt’s capability to strengthen its homeland defense by replenishing its stocks. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, AZ. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Egypt.

The BGM-71 tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missile is used in anti-armor, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing roles. TOW is in service with more than 40 armed forces and is integrated on over 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide.

The TOW missile system has been in service since 1970 and more than 700,000 TOW weapon systems were delivered to the US Army and allied military forces to date. Its production versions include TOW 2A (BGM-71E), which entered production in 1987 with over 118,000 missiles delivered. TOW 2B (BGM-71F) entered production in 1991 with more than 40,000 missiles delivered and is designed to complement rather than replace TOW 2A, TOW 2B Aero, and TOW 2A bunker buster (BGM-71H).

The TOW 2 missile system was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which constituted the first operational firing of the TOW 2B missile.