Russia Strikes Missile Deal With Egypt: Report

The head of Russia’s state-controlled industrial holding company says Moscow has signed a deal to provide Egypt with air defense missile systems.

Monday’s statement by Russian Technologies chief Sergei Chemezov followed last week’s trip to Egypt by Russia’s foreign and defense ministries. Chemezov, whose comments were carried by state RIA Novosti news agency, wouldn’t elaborate on the missile deal.

He said that Egypt also expressed interest in other Russian weapons, including combat planes and helicopters, but has funding problems. He said Egypt could ask Russian for a loan to finance the weapons deals.

The deal comes as US-Egyptian relations have been strained over Washington’s criticism of the 3 July ouster of Mohamed Morsi. The Soviet Union armed Egypt for decades at the height of the Cold War and Egypt’s wars with Israel.

Source : Ahram