The Egyptian air force has moved to expand its airborne early warning and control system capabilities, with the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency having announced the receipt of a $75 million request to supply the service with a further two secondhand Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes.
To be acquired from surplus US Navy stocks, the aircraft would join Egypt’s current fleet of seven E-2Cs. These are an average of 20 years old, according to Flight’s MiliCAS database, which also lists an eighth example as parked. The refurbished Hawkeyes will be delivered with undisclosed modifications and two spare Rolls-Royce T56 turboprop engines under the deal, which has yet to be approved by US Congress.
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“Egypt requires additional E-2C aircraft to strengthen AEW surveillance and [deliver] enhanced command, control and communications within its defence network,” says the DSCA. Northrop will be the main beneficiary of the new business, it adds.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
