watchman

Egypt’s Navy Threatens Israel’s Sea Lanes

http://thetrumpet.com/index.php?page=article&id=3048

Over the past three decades, Egypt has undergone a massive military buildup and modernization. The overhaul of Egypt’s navy, coupled with its geographic location, gives the Egyptian fleet the capability to “blockade both of Israel’s sea links with the outside world,” according to a recent report.

The report, which appeared in the March edition of the Middle East Review of International Affairs, states that U.S. administrations have given $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt during President Hosni Mubarak’s regime. Egypt has used the money to transform its Soviet-based fighting force into a modernized, Western-style military. Earlier this decade, Egypt replaced Saudi Arabia as the primary recipient of U.S.-manufactured arms in the Middle East.

As a result, Egypt’s arsenal has improved qualitatively as well as quantitatively in every military branch. Israeli Knesset member Yuval Steinitz and former commander in chief of the Israeli Navy, Maj. Gen. Yedidia Ya’ari, “consider the overhaul of the Egyptian Navy to be the most significant aspect of the military’s modernization program,” the report said.

The Egyptians acquired two Knox-class frigates and four Oliver Hazard Perry frigates from the United States in the 19902. These frigates are capable of over-the-horizon combat and anti-submarine warfare.

But what perhaps pose the greatest threat to Israel are the 53-satellite guided Harpoon Block ii missiles the U.S. agreed to sell to Egypt in November 2001. These missiles “can exploit Israel’s lack of strategic depth by evading its current air defense systems” and have “truly caused consternation in Jerusalem” (ibid.).

The modernization of Egypt’s military also includes the acquisition of M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, F-16 fighter planes, Apache attack helicopters and the ammunition to arm their new equipment to the teeth.

The report questions why Egypt would invest so many billions in its military. Some analysts believe Egypt’s goal is to achieve military parity with Israel. Mubarak stated in a 1995 speech that the level of its armed forces serves as a deterrent. However, with Islamists gaining in popularity and Mubarak nearing the end of his reign, what does the future hold? The report says “a drastic change in leadership could spawn greater instability in the Egyptian-Israeli arena” and that “Egypt’s failure to curtail endemic weapons smuggling on the Egypt-Gaza border—arms which are funneled to Palestinian terrorists—has fueled speculation among Israeli hardliners that Cairo may be girding for war.”

Bible prophecy can clear up any speculation. Egypt is prophesied to ally itself with Iran, indicating that radical changes are in store for the Egyptian government. To find out more about Egypt in prophecy, read The King of the South.

Master Chief

Maybe its just me but I don't think 2 Knox class FF's and 4 O.H. Perrys are such a big threat. Yes, the harpoons maybe. Thats not much of a navy. And the Perrys only can carrie 4 harpoons X 4 ships is 16 missiles, and if you want to count the 2 cells on each of the Knox class only brings the total to 20 of the 53 missiles. I think the barak missile system can handle that. With the experience Israel has in air to air combat, and tank to tank. They should be ok. Just a opinion.

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gunnut

With a little "creative placement" the Perrys should be able to carry 8 Harpoons each. I believe the Knox should be able to also. That's 48 ready to fire missiles right there.

Although I do agree with you, the quality of Israeli's navy should be able to handle the Egyptians.

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"Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.

Dreadnought

IMO I think Israel demonstrated they can handle manuvering pretty well after the last go around with Egypt not too long ago. But just an opinion. I dont believe the U.S. would arm Egypt in order to threaten Israel not for a moment.

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Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

xerxes

Considering the fact that Egypt has some US high-tech weaponary, it is illogical IMHO to think that Egypt can in any way threaten Israel. The US only needs to pull the plug on Egypt's shiny toys.

I am no expert in the subject by I assume the "53-satellite guided Harpoon Block ii missiles" need to be guided by United States's satellite system. It is laughable to think that those Harpoon can be used against anyone Cairo chooses.

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If we contrast the rapid progress of this mischievous discovery of gunpowder with the slow and laborious advances of reason, science, and the arts of peace, a philosopher, according to his temper, will laugh or weep at the folly of mankind. - Edward Gibbon

WECIV

I do not exactly agree with the article posted, but I think Israel has lost a lot of its ability. They have become to dependant on technology and less on thinking. That is why they were so good in the past, and lost this latest war.

W

JMH

Israeli rocket forces, using Jericho III could quickly destroy
Egyptian Naval Bases and the Israeli Arrow Air Defence system should be able to shoot down Egyptian missiles. This combined with the Israeli Air Force would be more than sufficient to counter the Egyptian Navies collection of old US Frigates. Israel has more to fear from the poor security and military decisions of their own inept government, which is a far greater threat to Israel’s security than the Egyptian Navy.

aktarian

Strange how all these articles talk about Arab weapons purchases and how they are a potential threat to Israel yet at the same time Israeli purchases of far more advanced weapons are ignored or considered normal business.

ExNavyAmerican

Didn't you know? There's a conspiracy here to hide the wicked actions of evil Israel.

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"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
- Thomas Jefferson

TopHatter

Yes you're right, because Israel is known for declaring it's intentions to immolate it's Arab neighbors.

aktarian

I was under the impression that Egypt is at peace with Israel for past 28 years.

ExNavyAmerican

So? We've been at peace with North Korea for 54 years, and we are not friends, nor are we neutral: such is the state between Egypt, and Israel.

aktarian

Actually Korean war didn't end with peace treaty so technically state of war still exists. While Egypt and Israel signed peace treaty.

ExNavyAmerican

No, they signed a cease-fire, but it's the same principle. If it's a peace treaty you want, here: the British signed a treaty with France in 1801, but war resumed in 1803. Between that time, the British and the French did not act like nothing happened. Did you know that the U.S. military makes plans that deal with a potential war with Britain? Why? Because when National Security is at stake, you don't take any chances. And especially with two mutually hostile countries, such as Israel and Egypt, each watch what the other one does with suspicion, and is always ready with a possible counter.

aktarian

Well, Israelis, Egyptians and just about everybody else says it's a peace treaty

Yes, wars can resume.

US has contingency plans for war with every country in the world. Some are more developed, some are less.

If that is so then why are egyptian (and other Arab) purchases seen as destabilising and potential threat while Israeli are not? Even though even Israelis admit they enjoy arms superiority.

If you accept that there is some sort of balance in region (Israel has better arms, Arabs more) then any increase would have destabilising effects on it, wouldn't it? Yet only Arab ones are seen as such. Do you hear same worrying voices when Israel talks about purchasing F-22s or JSF?