Egypt to buy 2 warships France built for Russia
PARIS — Egypt has agreed to buy two assault ships from France, the French government said Wednesday, increasing its capabilities onshore and offshore as the country tries to assume a more prominent role against Islamic State militants.
The assault ships, which can each carry 16 helicopter gunships, 700 troops and up to 50 armored vehicles, were originally intended for Russia. France continued building to Russia’s specifications — including stenciling Cyrillic writing throughout the vessels — until the deal finally fell apart because of the crisis in Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula.
France agreed to refund $1 billion already paid by Russia. France didn’t say how much Egypt has agreed to pay, but denied losing money. A military official who was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal said Egypt would pay $1 billion for both ships, which will be delivered in March.
Russia traditionally had supplied Egypt’s military, but Egypt has turned more recently toward Western arms purchases, with France taking a leading role. Egypt bought 24 advanced fighter jets from France earlier this year for nearly $6 billion, as it sought international help to bomb Islamic State targets.
French President Francois Hollande said he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi closed the deal Tuesday after several weeks of talks.
“France will assure delivery of these boats while losing nothing, and by doing so protecting Egypt,” Hollande said. He noted French military cooperation with Egypt and Egypt’s “important role” in the Middle East.
He said el-Sissi underscored the role of the Suez Canal and “how important it is for Europe, for the Middle East, for trade that the Suez Canal be protected.”
Analysts said it was unlikely that Egypt would resell the ships to Russia given the increasing value of its relationship with France. And the military official said it was not permitted for the buyer of a warship to resell without permission from the original seller.
But Egypt already owns Russian-made helicopters that are of the same kind originally planned for the decks of the two Mistrals, the official said.
The Egyptian government has been battling a long-running insurgency in the northern Sinai region, which escalated after the military ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013 after protests against his rule and after Egypt cracked down on Islamic groups. An Islamic State affiliate has been claiming responsibility for militant attacks in the area.
Peter Roberts, a senior research fellow at the United Kingdom’s Royal United Services Institute and a former U.K. navy officer, said Egypt’s military is shifting its focus, previously on the Sinai, to a more regional outlook.
“It does provide an interesting window into the decision-making of Egypt’s leaders at this moment,” he said.
Analysts said the purchase showed Egypt’s attempt to take a more muscular role in the region, notably with the disintegration of Yemen and Libya.
“The reality is that Egypt isn’t going to try to conquer Libya or Yemen,” said Ben Moores, an analyst with IHS Janes. “It’s not trying to change those countries. It’s just trying to keep a lid on them.”