Confirmation of Egypt's acquisition of Su-35 could have huge geopolitical consequences

Rumors were persistent for over a year now : Egypt has placed an order in Russia for around twenty Su-35 heavy fighters. Since 2015, Cairo has increased its acquisitions of new defense equipment, having notably received two dozen Rafale French, as well as Ka-52 combat helicopters and MiG-29 fighters from Russia. Until now, these purchases have always been counterbalanced by the acquisition of equivalent equipment from American suppliers: F-16 Block 52 fighters, or AH-64 Apache combat helicopters for example.

However, by purchasing the best Russian combat aircraft available for export, Cairo today seems to agree to cross a red line vis-à-vis Washington, which has always sought to guarantee a certain military balance between the different armies from the Middle-East. However, the Su-35 is equipped with the latest technological advances in sensors and weaponry, and its dynamic performances far surpass those of Rafale, Typhoon and F-15 Advanced Eagle recently sold in the region. Worse still, the Flanker-E could even pose a serious threat to the F-35 stealth fighter that Washington currently has exported only to Israel, In the region.

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