The US 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 US 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 US 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 US 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.
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 US 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 ammunition and requires replenishment of its stock.”
Lastly, the AGM-114R Hellfire is one of the primary air-to-surface weapons used by US 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.
Early in 2018, Egypt requested for ten new AH-64Es Apache attack gunships from the United States, which was subsequently approved by the US State Department.
In May 2020, the US States Department approved a refurbishment package for Egypt’s 43 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, in a foreign military sale valued at an estimated $2.3 billion.
Furthermore, in January 2022, The US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to upgrade the sensor equipment of Egypt’s Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters. This is considered the first step in a planned modernization of the entire fleet to the latest AH-64E Apache Guardian standard.
A few months later, in July 2022, Lockheed Martin was awarded a subsequent contract worth $22.1 million to upgrade Egyptian Air Force AH-64D Apache attack helicopter sensors from AH-64D to AH-64E standards.
The contract stated that Lockheed Martin’s “to procure modernized day sensor assembly kits and spares for Apache helicopters” for Egypt. The AH-64D modernisation package includes Lockheed Martin’s AN/ASQ-170 Gen III Target Acquisition Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Pilot Night Vision Sensor (Gen III TADS/PNVS) and the Gen III Day Sensor Assembly (Gen III DSA).
Subsequently, in March 2023, Boeing was awarded a contract to remanufacture indefinite number of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Egyptian Air Force.
This subcontract is part of a larger one approved by the U.S. State Department in 2020 to upgrade the whole Egyptian AH-64D Apache fleet to more capable E standard.
The United States continues its policy of enhancing the Egyptian militaries capabilities according to the Campaign David Accord.
Since 1978, the United States has contributed more than $50 billion in military assistance to Egypt designed to support and expand the Egyptian military’s capabilities to protect and defend its land and maritime borders.
Meanwhile, in December 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for the refurbishment and upgrade of 555 M1A1 Abrams tanks, transforming them into the M1A1SA configuration.
The deal, estimated at $4.69 billion, underscores Egypt’s efforts to modernize its military capabilities while strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States.
