The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The Egyptian Government has requested a package including Follow on Technical Support (FOTS) that provides material and labour services in support of the Egyptian Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates (FFG-7 class ships), Fast Missile Craft (FMC), Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC) ships, Coastal Mine Hunter (CMH) ships, and 25 Meter and 28 Meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC).
Estimated to cost $554 million, the Follow on Technical Support will ensure the Egyptian Navy is operationally ready to provide coastal defence and security and will fall under the US government foreign military sales programme.
According to a July 30 announcement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced, the prime contractor for engineering services support will be VSE Corporation. Egypt intends to use the technical services provided to maintain the systems installed on the U.S. Navy (USN) supplied ships and USN supplied systems installed aboard Egyptian Navy platforms.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to provide a strategic partner with critical support for multiple type ships responsible for Egypt’s maritime security. The proposed sale is essential to maintain Egypt’s national security, regional stability, and the free flow of worldwide commerce via the Suez Canal.”
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency disclosed that This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded, However, the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale was delivered on July 29, 2019.