Egypt Planning to Buy French Frigates, Military Satellite Systems Worth Euro 1 Billion

Egypt and France are planning to seal agreements worth €1 billion this month for the sale of fighter aircraft, navy vessels and a military satellite communication system.

The agreements will be signed during a visit by French President Francois Hollande to Cairo this month, Sputnik reported.

According to reports, the purchase will include four navy vessels, including GOWIND corvettes built by French naval defense equipment manufacturer DCNS.

Airbus and Thales Alenia Space of Finmeccanica will sell the Egyptian defense force a military satellite communication system estimated €600 million.

A year earlier, Egypt purchased 24 Rafale fighters, a frigate and other armaments from France. This purchase was followed by two Mistral helicopter carriers that the Egyptian Navy bought after an earlier deal with Russia was cancelled following European Union sanctions imposed on Russia as a protest to an alleged involvement in Ukraine.