The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of NASAMS air defense systems to Egypt, valued at $4.67 billion.This move may signal a shift in Washington's policy toward the region.
In addition to the NASAMS launchers, the package includes four AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radars, 100 AMRAAM-ER missiles, and 600 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles. It also covers training systems, communication equipment, GPS receivers, spare parts, support tools, and contractor services.
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Despite appearances, Egypt seemingly hasn't canceled its deal for the German IRIS-T SLM air defense systems, which serve a similar role. In fact, Ukraine once received systems originally intended for Egypt.
What stands out most is the U.S. willingness to sell modern air defenses to Egypt — something previously avoided due to concerns over tech security and preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge.
The official sale announcement claims the deal will strengthen a Middle East partner without altering the regional balance of power. But the real motivation may lie elsewhere.
Since 1979, Egypt has received strong U.S. military support. It was even spared cuts in this year's American defense budget alongside Israel.
However, Egypt has recently grown closer to China, selecting the Chinese J-10C Vigorous Dragon to replace its aging F-16s — a move believed to stem from Washington’s insufficient engagement.
This suggests the U.S. is now trying to keep Egypt within its sphere of influence by ramping up arms deliveries. Whether this will be enough to sway Cairo’s strategic direction remains uncertain.
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