The U.S. government has authorized the potential sale of a significant batch of AGM-114R Hellfire missiles for the Egyptian Air Force’s fleet of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. This is according to a notification submitted by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for approval of the sale under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

The Egyptian Air Force is a major operator of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in the Delta or “D” variant. Their acquisition dates back to the mid-1990s when the first order was placed. Although the U.S. government agreed to the deal, the helicopters at the time were not equipped with the Longbow radar, limiting their air-to-ground combat capabilities.

Recently, however, the U.S. and Egypt reached an agreement for Boeing to modernize part of Egypt’s AH-64D fleet, upgrading them to the newer and more advanced AH-64E “Guardian” standard. According to an official announcement from 2022, a total of 25 aircraft will be upgraded to this version. While the program was scheduled to be completed by July 2024, neither Boeing nor Egyptian authorities have provided recent updates on the current status of the attack helicopter fleet.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade

The latest development was detailed in an announcement from the 20th of December, where the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed Egypt’s request to purchase up to 2,183 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, along with associated equipment, spare parts, and technical documentation. The total cost of the transaction amounts to $630 million, with Lockheed Martin serving as the primary supplier.

The State Department commented: “The proposed sale will enhance Egypt’s ability to address current and future threats by strengthening its capability to defend itself against regional hostile actors and improving interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and other regional security partners. Egypt’s continued investment in its defensive capabilities is crucial to protecting its borders, transportation infrastructure, and population. Egypt will have no difficulty integrating the Hellfire missiles into its armed forces, as it currently operates this munition and requires replenishment of its stock.”

Lastly, the AGM-114R Hellfire is one of the primary air-to-surface weapons used by U.S. and allied forces’ helicopters. It is employed to target various types of armored vehicles and fortified structures, among other threats. Notable platforms utilizing the Hellfire include the AH-64 Apache (in multiple variants), AH-6 Little Bird, and AH-1Z Viper helicopters.

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