In the last few hours, France and Egypt have signed an important contract for the sale of 30 fighters Flurry to Egypt. News confirmed by the respective defense ministers.
This agreement has a value of approximately 4 billion euros; in addition, within the same order, the sale of MBDA missiles (SCALP EG) as well as other defense material is envisaged.
It should be noted that this supply will be subsidized by France and other institutions with a loan that Cairo should repay in ten years. The loan is composed of 85% by: the French government with BNP Paribas SA, Credit Agricole, Société Générale and Crédit Industriel et Commercial.
This is an important new success for the French defense industry. In fact you can remember the sale of 18 Flurry to Greece in late January.
The agreement shows how the axis between France and Egypt is getting stronger. It can be said that Paris aims to be the privileged European partner in relations with Cairo (to the detriment of others).
We must not forget that the two countries are allies in numerous theaters: in the Libyan chessboard, in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Furthermore, both nations view Turkey's ambitions in the Mediterranean with concern; in fact, both the French and the Egyptians in recent months have also cooperated a lot with Athens in an anti-Turkish function. Something that Ankara did not like, to put it mildly.
To clarify the special relations between Paris and Cairo was the "with great fanfare" welcome given to President al-Sisi at the Elysée in December 2020.
Regardless of relations with France, Egypt remains a nation with a geopolitical weight fundamental in the North African area and in the Mediterranean with which for better or for worse we have to deal ...
Photo: US Air Force
