U.S. Handed over to Egypt Scrap Arms: Russian Newspaper

Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, said on Friday that Egypt was in a dire need to Russian weapons, describing a $1-billion shipment Egypt obtained from the U.S. as “written off.”

The newspaper focused on the visit of Russian foreign and defense ministers to Egypt, pointing out that Russian and Egyptian officials discussed deals on new fighter jets and anti-aircraft missiles and tanks.

Vedomosti newspaper meanwhile quoted a source close to the Russian Defense Ministry as saying that Russia and Egypt may conclude soon a Russian arms deal estimated at US$2 billion.

The paper mentioned that the Soviet Union was a major source of weapons to the Egyptian army in the 1960s and early 1970s, but the communication between the two countries were cut off under late President Anwar Sadat who turned his back to the east and headed to the west, according to the newspaper.

The Russian arms deal, estimated at US$2 billion, would be for MiG-29 fighter jets, air defense systems and anti-tank missiles, said the Vedomosti newspaper.

It added Saudi Arabia would offer financial assistance to Egypt to purchase Russian arms .