Despite Revolution, US Set To Approve Tank Sales To Egypt

[Purveyor]

The US signaled last week that it plans to continue business as usual when it comes to arms sales to the Egyptian military, despite the recent revolution in Egypt and continued anti-government demonstrations there.

On Friday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible sale of 125 M1A1 Abrams tank to Egypt – the first large arms deal since Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in February – including associated weapons, equipment, parts, training and logistical support at an estimated cost of just over $1.3 billion.

If approved, the deal would increase the number of Abrams tanks in Egypt from around 1,000 to 1,130.

According to the notification to Congress, Egypt would receive 125 tanks, parts of which would be produced in Egypt, as well as M256 Armament Systems, M2 .50 caliber machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, spare parts, maintenance, support equipment, personnel training and other related elements of logistics and program support.

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http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=228506

[izquierdista]

1. Gotta move the merch!

When you have the world's biggest armaments industry, can't be shooting yourself in the foot in the sales department!

[PuffedMica]

2. General Dynamics is pleased with the investment it made in lobbyists

Lockheed-Martin and Boeing both congratulated GD and offered a new cooperation plan to buy even more politicians in the up coming 2012 elections.

[Johnyawl]

3. Where the hell is Egypt getting the money for this?

Oh, right. "...Cairo began to receive annual military aid of some $1.3b. from the United States following the peace treaty the two neighbors signed in 1979."

So basically the American taxpayer is buying 1.3 billion dollars of merchandise from General Dynamics, and parking it in Eygpt.

[xchrom]

4. Of course - all those industries that sell to us need to

Make more money.

[Arctic Dave]

5. But..but..but Iran is giving Iraq weapons.

That's not fair!