The United States State Department has given the green light to a potential arms sale worth over $5 billion to Egypt, a move that is expected to proceed despite ongoing concerns about the Egyptian government’s human rights record.
On Friday, the State Department notified Congress of the approval for the sale of $4.69 billion worth of equipment, including 555 M1A1 Abrams tanks, along with $630 million in Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and $30 million in precision-guided munitions. The announcement came with a statement affirming that the sale would help advance US foreign policy and national security interests by enhancing the security of a key non-NATO ally in the Middle East.
The US and Egypt have strengthened their cooperation, particularly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, with Cairo playing a critical role in facilitating ceasefire negotiations.
Human Rights Concerns Persist
This arms sale approval comes amid continued criticism of Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, estimate that around 60,000 political prisoners are currently detained in Egypt, including prominent British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who was jailed for “spreading false news” after sharing a Facebook post alleging police brutality.
While Egypt has pardoned hundreds of political prisoners in the past two years, human rights organizations argue that the number of political arrests far exceeds those released.
US-Egypt Relations and Military Aid
Despite human rights concerns, Egypt remains a key recipient of US military aid. President Joe Biden entered office in 2021 with promises to take a firmer stance on Egypt’s human rights issues. However, his administration has continued to approve major arms deals. In 2022, the Biden administration greenlit a $2.5 billion sale of 12 Super Hercules C-130 transport aircraft and air defense radar systems to Egypt.
While the State Department’s notification to Congress has not confirmed the signing of any contracts or the completion of negotiations, it has stated that the proposed sale will not alter the military balance in the region. The delivery of the Abrams tanks is expected to take up to a decade.
Congressional Oversight and Continued Military Assistance
US Congress retains the authority to block such sales, but efforts to do so are often unsuccessful. Egypt has been one of the largest recipients of US security aid since its peace treaty with Israel in 1979, with Israel being the largest recipient of US military aid.
This latest arms sale reflects the ongoing strategic partnership between the US and Egypt, with Cairo’s role as a key regional player outweighing concerns over its internal political situation.