Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is committed to acquiring the Eurofighter Typhoon from Italy to further diversify and modernize the Egyptian Air Force (EAF), despite the recent procurement of Rafale jets. The Typhoon sale is part of a $12 billion arms mega-deal between Italy and Egypt, which also includes warships. While pursuing the deal, Cairo is anxiously trying to prevent the U.S. from sabotaging the Typhoon talks to maintain Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME). Egypt wants an “un-downgraded” Typhoon and the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
Tactical Report has prepared a 1,616-word report as well as an infographic to provide a definitive overview of the deal and shed light on key events since 2019.
Our special report is structured as follows:
Key Judgements
Current Program Status
Program History
-2013-2019: U.S. sanctions push Egypt toward alternatives
-2019: Egyptian fighter options
-2020: Arms mega-deal with Italy
-2020-2021: Rafale vs Typhoon
-2022: U.S. involvement, Su-35 cancelation, and Typhoon deal inching closer
-September 2022: Typhoon talks advance
