The United States government is currently in talks with Egypt to address its self-defense needs as it seeks to discourage Cairo from purchasing fighter jets from Russia, an act which may lead to sanctions, a senior State Department official told reporters on Thursday, reported Reuters.
“If they are to acquire a significant Russian platform like the Sukhoi-35 or the Su-35, that puts them at risk towards sanctions, and that puts them at risk from being compartmentalized in regional considerations,” the U.S. diplomat said. “We are working with them to address their [self-defense] requirements, but have also been very transparent with them in that.”
Washington has provided billions of dollars in economic and military aid to its long-time ally, Egypt, over the years. But, earlier this year, Egypt signed a $2 billion deal with Russia to buy more than 20 Su-35 fighter jets.
The U.S. government has warned that if Cairo goes ahead with the deal with Russia, then it may impose sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which targets purchases of military equipment from Russia.
“They know this and we’re working through it with them,” the U.S. official said. “This is something we’ve not completely reconciled yet but they’re acutely aware of what they’re putting at risk.”
Washington said the use of the Su-35 and other Russian weapons systems could pose a threat to a country’s ability to operate jointly with the militaries of the United States and other NATO countries.
The U.S. government has given similar warnings to Turkey, which has already purchased Russian defense missile systems but has not yet made them operational. Turkey has been asked to drop its buy of the Russian system and to instead purchase the U.S.-made Patriot system. However, the Turkey government is not ready to give up on the Russian system citing strong ties with Moscow.
