NEWTOWN, Conn. - Egypt is expected to sign a contract with Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) MiG for 46 MiG-29 fighter jets in the near future, according to Russian media.
Russian business daily Vedomosti quoted two aviation industry sources as saying that Egypt had recently agreed to buy 46 of the MiGs, however it could not get comment from Rosoboronexport or RAC MiG on the deal.
In April 2014, Egypt expressed interest in acquiring up to 24 MiG-35 jet fighters from Russia. Reports indicate Egypt is preparing to spend up to $3 billion on acquisitions. This would include the MiG-35s as well as MiG-29s, Mi-35 helicopter gunships, air and coastal defense systems, firearms and ammunition.
The framework for the deal was originally proposed during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Cairo in November 2013. The following February, the arms package was agreed upon in principle between former Field Marshal Abdel al-Fattah al-Sisi (then the defense minister) and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit by Sisi to Moscow.