Egyptian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force | |
---|---|
| |
Founded | Part of the Egyptian Army in 1932, an independent service arm in 1937 (92 years) |
Country | Egypt |
Type | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | 30,000 active personnel[1] 20,000 reserve personnel[1] 50,000 total personnel 1,069 aircraft[2] |
Part of | Egyptian Armed Forces |
Headquarters | Heliopolis, Cairo |
Motto(s) |
|
Colours | |
March | أغنية للقوات الجوية (Air Force Song) |
Mascot(s) | Golden eagle |
Anniversaries | 14 October[3] |
Engagements | List of conflicts in Egypt
|
Website | www.mod.gov.eg |
Commanders | |
An-74 |
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) (
The Egyptian Army Air Service was formed in 1932, and became an independent air force in 1937. It had little involvement in the
The EAF primary role is the air defence of the nation, with secondary tasks of strike and army support operations. The EAF provides official government transport and carries out international search-and- rescue operations in the desert, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea.
In 2023 the IISS estimated the total active manpower of the Egyptian Air Force at approximately 30,000 personnel, including 10,000 conscripts, with reserves of 20,000 personnel.[1]
History
Establishment (Royal Egyptian Air Force)
In late 1928, the Parliament of Egypt proposed the creation of an Egyptian Air Force. The Egyptian ministry of war announced that it needed volunteers for the new arm to become the first four Egyptian military pilots. Over 200 Egyptian officers volunteered, but in the end only three succeeded in passing strict medical tests and technical examinations.[6]
These three went to
On 2 November 1930, the King of Egypt and Sudan,
The first commander of the EAAF was Squadron Leader
In 1937 the Egyptian Army Air Force was separated from the Army Command and became an independent branch named the Royal Egyptian Air Force (REAF). New stations were built in the Suez Canal Zone, and the Western Desert.
During 1938 the REAF received two squadrons (Nos 2 and 5) of Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters[7] and No. 1 Squadron of Westland Lysander reconnaissance aircraft, Egypt was the last state to use the Lysander in action, during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
Second World War
As the Egyptian border was threatened by an Italian and German invasion during the
A 1946 order of battle for the Air Force can be found in Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II, listing Nos 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Squadrons at Almaza Air Base, and No. 2 Squadron at Edku.
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Following the British withdrawal from the British Protectorate of
Two Israeli aircraft were shot down and on 22 May 1948, Egyptian Spitfires attacked the
Relations with Britain were soon restored and the official state of war with Israel ensured that arms purchases continued. New Spitfire Mk. 22s were purchased to replace the earlier models. In late 1949, Egypt received its first jet fighter, the British Gloster Meteor F4 and shortly after de Havilland Vampire FB5s.
Republican Egypt (Egyptian Air Force)
In 1955, Egypt made an agreement to buy heavy arms from
Suez Crisis
After the Egyptian Government's nationalisation of the Suez Canal in 1956, Egypt was attacked by Israel, France, and the United Kingdom in what came to be known as the Suez Crisis ("Tripartite Aggression" in Egypt). Heavy losses were sustained by the Egyptian side. After U.S. pressure, the French and British withdrew their forces after seizing the city of Suez. The war also forced the EAF to begin rebuilding without British help.
In 1958, Egypt merged with Syria to form the United Arab Republic, and the previously separate Egyptian and Syrian forces were combined as the United Arab Republic Air Force. Though Syria left the union in 1961, Egypt continued to use the union's official name until 1971, including for its air force.
One of the first Egyptian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 units was the 15th Air Brigade, consisting of Nos 20 and 21 Squadrons, which became operational at Fayid with a forward location at Milayz in the early 1960s.[10]
By the mid-1960s, British aircraft had been replaced completely by Soviet hardware. The
Egypt also took over the Helwan HA-300 from Spain as its first supersonic aircraft. It never went beyond three prototypes and initial test flights, then was abandoned due to high costs and political factors. The German designers involved had to leave Egypt after death threats from the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.
Yemen War
The Yemeni Royalist side received support from Saudi Arabia and Jordan, while the Yemeni Republicans were supported by Egypt. The fighting was fierce, featuring heavy urban combat as well as battles in the countryside. Both foreign irregular and conventional forces were also involved.[12]
Strategically, the Yemen War was an opportunity for Israel. It stagnated Egyptian military plans for the reinforcement of Sinai, by shifting the Egyptian military focus to another theater of operation. Egyptian historian Mohammed Heikal writes that Israel provided arms shipments and also cultivated relationships with hundreds of European mercenaries fighting for the Royalists in Yemen. Israel established a covert air-supply bridge from Djibouti to North Yemen. The war also gave the Israelis the opportunity to assess Egyptian combat tactics and adaptability.
Egyptian air and naval forces began bombing and shelling raids in the Saudi southwestern city of Najran and the coastal town of Jizan, which were staging points for royalist forces. In response, the Saudis purchased British Thunderbird surface-to-air missiles and developed their King Khalid airfield near Khamis Mushait. Riyadh also attempted to convince the United States to respond on its behalf. In Operation Hard Surface, President Kennedy sent jet fighters and bombers to Dhahran Air Base from May 1963,[13] demonstrating to Egypt the seriousness of his commitment to defending U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia.
Six-Day War
In the 1967
The EAF's first air-to-air victory is claimed by MiG-21 pilot Nabil Shoukry against a Mirage IIICJ fighter over Inchas air base two hours following the first Israeli strike.[15]
On 8 June 1967, a pair of Egyptian MiG-21s engaged a pair of Mirage IIIs over the Sinai. In the ensuing dogfight, the EAF's 1st Lt Fakhry El-Ashmawy managed to down one of the Mirage fighters while the second Mirage crashed from fuel exhaustion.[16]
Initial Egyptian claims were even more inflated, but were later reduced to 72 Israeli aircraft destroyed. The IDF/AF admitted 45 losses on all fronts, while outside observers put the figure between 55 and 60. Years later, unofficial Israelis sources admitted ten IDF/AF aircraft downed in air combat on all fronts. Independent sources put this figure at 11, plus another resulting in fuel exhaustion. In fact, several Israeli aircraft reportedly downed by ground fire probably fell to Egyptian fighters.[17]
Nigerian Civil War
During the
War of Attrition
The years between 1967 and 1970 involved a prolonged campaign of attrition against Israel. The EAF went through a massive construction program to build new air bases in order to increase its survivability. During this period Egypt also received replacements for losses it suffered during the Six Day War. The EAF was the first branch of the Egyptian armed forces to achieve full combat readiness.
On 15 July 1967, six Israeli
October War 1973
During the initial surprise air attack of the
Despite these limitations, the EAF conducted offensive sorties from time to time. The Su-7BM was used for quick strafe attacks on Israeli columns and the Mirage IIIE (sometimes confused with the Mirage 5), donated by Libya, carried out long-range attacks deep inside Sinai at
However, when Israeli armoured forces used a gap between the two Egyptian armies to cross the Suez Canal (Operation Stouthearted Men), they destroyed several Egyptian SAM sites, forcing the EAF into battle against the IAF. The EAF claimed victories and continued to contest IAF operations, while also launching attacks on Israeli ground forces on the East Bank of the Suez Canal. In most of these engagements, Egyptian MiG-21s (of all types) challenged Israeli Mirage IIICJs or Neshers.[19]
The IAF did not operate freely and did not have complete air supremacy it enjoyed during the previous conflict, the 1967 war. Egyptian MiGs were used with better efficiency than before which included the tactics and lessons learned from the 1967 war.[20]
It was during this war that the EAF applied the lessons it earlier learnt from the Israelis. A 32-year-old deputy MiG-21 regiment commander who has been flying since he was 15 recalls: "During the war of attrition, the Israeli air force had a favorite ambush tactic", he told
The Egyptian Air Force commander during the war was then-Air Marshal Hosni Mubarak. On 14 October 1973 one of many Egyptian/Israeli air engagements took place. Initial Egyptian reports that 15 Israeli aircraft had been destroyed.[22] on the day of "Air battle of Mansoura". Later on, the Egyptian government changed the country's "Air Force Day" from 2 November to 14 October, to commemorate the Mansourah air battle.[22] Mubarak was even promoted and feted as a national hero after the war, It was estimated that over 2200 take offs were done by the Egyptian Air Force throughout the war that included dogfighting and ground attacks.[23]
Shaba I
During the
Libyan–Egyptian War
During the 1977 Libyan–Egyptian War, there were some skirmishes between Libyan and Egyptian fighters.
Camp David Accords and Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords, Egypt would receive US$1.3 Billion military aid while Israel would receive US$3.1 Billion in aid. Ever since Egypt signed its peace treaty with Israel, Egypt shifted to American weaponry and drifted away from the Soviet style weapons. In March 1982, Egypt received its first 12 F-16 fighter Jets for its inventory.
From 1980 the EAF was involved in the joint U.S.-Egyptian biannual Exercise Bright Star.[26]
Sinai Insurgency
The Egyptian Air Force operated on a large scale during the Sinai insurgency which commenced in 2011. AH-64 Apache helicopters and F-16 jet fighters bombed numerous militant targets on almost a daily basis.[27]
Second Libyan Civil War
During the
After receiving three
On 6 March 2016, Egypt and France began on Sunday a joint military exercise termed as the "Ramses-2016" in the coastal city of
2015 Airstrikes in Libya
The February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya against
Within hours, the Egyptian Air Force responded with airstrikes against ISIL training camps and weapons stockpiles[37] in retaliation for the killings.[38] Warplanes acting under orders from the Libyan government also struck targets in Derna, reportedly in coordination with Egypt.[39] It is believed that more than eight EAF F-16 jet fighters were used for the strikes, including the newly joined "block 52" variants.
The airstrikes had allegedly killed up to 81 ISIL militants,[40][41] including three of the leadership, in the coastal cities of Derna and Sirte. Libyan media reported that at least 35 more Egyptians had been rounded up by ISIL in retaliation for the air raids.
2015 Military Intervention in Yemen
Egyptian Air Forces are participating in a Saudi-led joint regional military operation to halt the advance of Houthi rebels in Yemen,
Egypt's military participation "through elements of the Egyptian air and navy forces" aims to support the Saudi-led regional coalition to restore stability in Yemen "under legitimate leadership", according to the Egyptian presidency's statement.[44]
The Egyptian air force supported pro-government forces when they attacked Al Anad Air Base in the south of Yemen. "EAF and paratroopers aerial supported Yemeni ground forces who have now seized the military base killing scores of Houthi rebels".[45]
2017 Airstrikes in Libya
On May 26, 2017, armed men traveling in pickup trucks gunned down 28 Coptic Christians and wounded 26 as the Christians were on their way to visit a monastery in Egypt’s Minya province, The Islamic State claimed responsibility for this attack. That same evening, Egypt announced that its air force had carried out six air raids on ISIS camps near the Libyan city of Derna. The strikes involved F-16C/D Block 52s covered by at least two Dassault Rafales.[46]
Structure
Air bases
Source:[47]
- Abu Suweir Air Base 30°34′22″N 032°05′47″E / 30.57278°N 32.09639°E
- El Mansoura Air Base 30°58′03″N 031°26′03″E / 30.96750°N 31.43417°E
- Borg al Arab Air Base 31°11′02″N 029°56′50″E / 31.18389°N 29.94722°E
- Aswan Air Base 23°57′54″N 032°49′24″E / 23.96500°N 32.82333°E
- Az Zagazig (Abu Hammad) Air Base 30°35′39″N 031°39′58″E / 30.59417°N 31.66611°E
- Beni Sueif Air Base 29°12′43″N 031°00′57″E / 29.21194°N 31.01583°E
- Bilbeis Air Base 30°23′42″N 031°36′05″E / 30.39500°N 31.60139°E
- Birma/Tanta Air Base 30°50′13″N 030°56′11″E / 30.83694°N 30.93639°E
- Almaza Air Base 30°05′33″N 031°21′35″E / 30.09250°N 31.35972°E
- Cairo/Intl Air Base 30°07′19″N 031°24′20″E / 30.12194°N 31.40556°E
- Cairo West Air Base 30°06′59″N 030°54′56″E / 30.11639°N 30.91556°E
- El Minya Air Base 28°05′56″N 030°43′44″E / 28.09889°N 30.72889°E
- Fayid Air Base 30°20′04″N 032°15′50″E / 30.33444°N 32.26389°E
- Gebel El Basur Air Base 30°32′24″N 030°33′38″E / 30.54000°N 30.56056°E
- Hurghada Air Base 27°11′03″N 033°47′54″E / 27.18417°N 33.79833°E
- Inshas Air Base 30°19′57″N 031°26′51″E / 30.33250°N 31.44750°E
- Gianaclis New Air Base 30°49′18″N 030°11′35″E / 30.82167°N 30.19306°E
- Kom Awshim Air Base 29°33′15″N 030°53′42″E / 29.55417°N 30.89500°E
- Mersa Matruh Air Base 31°19′28″N 027°13′20″E / 31.32444°N 27.22222°E
- Wadi El Gandali (Khatamia) Air Base 30°03′01″N 031°50′22″E / 30.05028°N 31.83944°E
Order of battle
Data from[48]
- HQ EAF Direct Reporting
- 38sq - Almaza (Beech 1900C)
- 99sq - Almaza (Falcon 20, Be200, Gulfstream)
- 99sq - Cairo East (B707-366, B737-100)
- 102 Tactical Air Wing
- 25sq - Ismailia/Inshas (EMB-312 Tucano)
- 26sq - Ismailia (AT-802 Air Tractor)
- 35sq - Hurghada (EMB-312 Tucano)
- 104 Tact Fighter Wing
- 42sq – Wadi Abu Rish (MiG-29M/M2)
- 44sq – Wadi Abu Rish (MiG-29M/M2)
- 203 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 34sq – Gebel el Basur (Rafale EM/DM)
- 36sq - Gebel el Basur (Rafale EM/DM)
- 232 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 72sq – Mersa Matruh (F-16C/D)
- 74sq - Mersa Matruh (F-16C/D)
- 242 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 68sq – Aswan (F-16C/D)
- 70sq – Beni Sueif (F-16C/D)
- 252 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 82sq – Gebel el Basur (Mirage 2000EM/BM)
- 262 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 60sq – Abu Sueir (F-16C/D)
- 64sq - Abu Sueir (F-16C/D)
- 272 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 75sq – Genaclis (F-16C/D)
- 77sq – Genaclis (F-16C/D)
- 79sq – Genaclis (F-16C/D)
- 282 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 86sq – Fayid (F-16C/D)
- 88sq – Fayid (F-16C/D)
- 292 Tactical Fighter Wing
- 95sq - Cairo West (F-16C/D B52)
- 97sq - Cairo West (F-16C/D B52)
- 308th CAS Tactical Wing
- 57sq – El Mansourah (Alpha Jet MS1/2)
- 58sq – El Mansourah (Alpha Jet MS1/2)
- 516 Air Wing
- 4sq – Cairo East (C-130H)
- 16sq – Cairo East (C-130H)
- Ind Tpt Flt - Cairo East (Il-76MF)
- Air Wing - Flight Safety (Air Navigation School)
- 533 Air Wing
- 2sq – Cairo East (C-295M)
- 8sq - Cairo East (C-295M)
- Ind Tpt Flt - Cairo East (An-74T-200)
- 544 Air Wing
- 9sq - Beni Sueif (Mi-17)
- 81sq – Daraw (Aswan) (Mi-17V-5)
- 83sq - Bernice/Ras Banas (Mi-17)
- 545 Air Wing
- 11sq – Borg al Arab (AW149)
- 14sq - Borg al Arab (AW149)
- 37sq – Borg al Arab (SH-2G)
- 546 Air Wing
- 7sq (VIP's) – Almaza (AW189, S-70A-21)
- 12sq - Mersa Matruh (Commando Mk.2)
- 18sq - Almaza (AW109, SAR)
- 21sq - Almaza (S-70-21)
- 33sq (OCU) - Kom Awshim (CH-47D)
- 547 Air Wing
- 13sq - Uthman (Mi-17V-5)
- 55sq - Khatatbah (Mi-17V-5)
- 91sq - Quweisna, Ismaïla (Mi-17)
- 548 Air Wing
- 10sq – Kibrit (SA-342L HOT)
- 15sq – Kibrit (SA-342L HOT)
- 17sq – Kibrit (SA-342L HOT)
- Demo Team 'Horus' (SA342L HOT)
- 549 Air Wing
- 40sq - Wadi al Jandali (Ka-52)
- 41sq - Wadi al Jandali (Ka-52)
- 45sq - Wadi al Jandali (Ka-52)
- 43sq - Borg al Arab (Mi-24V)
- 550 Air Wing
- 51sq – Az Zaqaziq (AH-64D)
- 52sq – Az Zagaziq (AH-64D)
- 53sq – Az Zaqaziq (AH-64D)
- .. 601 Air Wing
- 87sq - Cairo West (E-2C)
- 700 Air Wing
- 6sq - Kom Awshim (EJune-30SW)
- 80sq - Kom Awshim (RPV-324 Scarab)
- 96sq - Beni Sueif (??)
- 702 Air Wing
- 20sq - Dakhla (Wing Loong)
- 22sq - Uthman (Wing Loong)
- 24sq - El Arish (Wing Loong)
- 770th Tactical Fighter Wing
- 94sq – Beni Sueif (K-8E)
- 98sq – El Minya (K-8E)
- 101 Air Brigade (Air Force Academy)
- 3sq – Bilbeis (Grob 115EG)
- 5sq – Bilbeis (Grob 115EG)
- 201 Air Brigade (Air Force Academy)
- 28sq – Bilbeis/Inshas (K-8E)
- 29sq – Bilbeis/Inshas (K-8E)
- Demo Team 'Silver Stars' (K-8E)
- 301 Air Wing (Air Force Academy)
- 30sq – Abu SUltan (SA-324L)
- 54sq – Bilbeis (SA-324L)
- 56sq – Abu Sultan (SA-342L)
- Advanced Helicopter School - Abu Sultan (SA-342L)
Silver Stars Aerobatic Team
Silver Stars is the Egyptian Air Force aerobatic display team flying 10
The Egyptian Air Force demonstration team "The Silver Stars" was formed in the mid of 1974 to participate at "October War" anniversary. Pilots of the team were flying instructors at the Air force College and flew four L-29 planes painted in dark green and brown and yellow – standard color scheme. In 1984, the Sliver Stars aerobatic team switched to six Alpha Jet training airplanes. In the following year, team's planes became nine. In 2003, the team made the switch to the K-8E Karakorum trainer and from 2005 was led by Group Captain Mostafa Fathi. Since 2010, the team is now flying ten aircraft – nine plus one solo.
Aircraft
The Camp David Accords caused a gradual change in the overall composition of the EAF. The EAF began to rely more on US, French and in some cases on Chinese aircraft.
The addition of these aircraft from multiple sources along with the ones already in the EAF inventory caused increasing serviceability problems. In 1982, the EAF began receiving
These grounded F-16A/Bs were later overhauled, upgraded and returned to active service, additional F-16s were acquired to replace those lost. In 1986, the EAF received the French
In 1987 the
The EAF currently operates 46
Modernization
Egypt made several deals with Ukrainian companies for the modernization of its old MiG-21 fleet but these deals were not implemented, and all old MiG-21 fighters were taken out of service.
On 3 March 2010, the EAF ordered 20 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft.[54] The contract was set to complete in 2013 and included 16 single-seat F-16C and four twin-seat F-16D aircraft. On 14 August 2012, the US Defense Department awarded a major contract to facilitate the procurement of F-16s by the EAF. The Pentagon selected American International Contractors for a $66.6 million contract to upgrade infrastructure for Egypt's order of 20 F-16 Block 52 aircraft, estimated at $2.2 billion. On 24 July 2013, the U.S. announced it would halt deliveries of the F-16s in response to the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état.[55] In March 2015 the US announced the resumption of the deliveries of the F-16s, the last of which was delivered in October 2015.[56][57]
On 16 February 2015, Egypt became the Dassault Rafale's first international customer when it officially ordered 24 Rafales,[58] as part of a larger deal (including a FREMM multipurpose frigate and a supply of missiles) worth US$5.9 billion (€5.2 billion).[59][60][61] In July 2015, the official ceremony, marking the acceptance by Egypt of its first 3 Rafales, was held at the Dassault Aviation flight test center in Istres.[62] In January 2016, Egypt received three more Rafale fighters, raising the number of Rafales in service to six.[63] All six aircraft are two-seat models and were diverted from delivery to the French Air Force; Egypt's total 24-plane order is for 8 single-seat models and 16 two-seaters.[64]
In April 2014, it was reported that Egypt planned to order 24 MiG-35 fighters as part of an arms deal with Russia.[65][66] MiG head Sergei Korotkov said at the 2015 Aero India exposition they will provide the fighters if Egypt orders them and are ready to negotiate.[67] Russia agreed on a contract with Egypt for 46 MiG-29M/M2 fighters and it was expected to be worth up to US$2 billion.[68][69][70] Russia planned to supply the Egyptian MiG-29M/M2s with 40 high precision targeting pods. Deliveries would have begun in 2016.[71]
Russia and Egypt signed a contract for delivery of 50 Ka-52 helicopters.[72] The Ka-52's were equipped with the new OES-52 targeting system allowing it to launch Vikhr and Ataka anti-tank missiles using laser target direction systems. The execution of the contract started in 2016 and lasted until 2018.[73][74]
SAGEM and AOI-Aircraft Factory signed a collaboration agreement concerning the Patroller UAV. AOI-Aircraft Factory could handle final assembly of the drones and developed a dedicated training center in Egypt to train staff for the operation and maintenance of the drone systems.[75]
On 18 April 2016, Egypt signed a contract with France for the sale of a military telecommunications satellite after discussions between the Egyptian and French presidents and between the Ministers of Defense, which took place during a visit by French President Francois Hollande to Cairo. The satellite were supplied by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space. The price of the contract wasn't announced but was estimated at 600 million euros.[76]
In September 2016, Russian Helicopters delivered the first 3 refurbished Mi-8T helicopters to the Egyptian Air Force after a major overhaul. The company also announced that the necessary equipment for the retooling and upgrading of the Helwan Factory aircraft repair plant had been prepared for shipment and that the Egyptian service technicians had completed training.[77]
In August 2019, the
On 4 May 2021, France agreed to sell Egypt an additional 30 Dassault Rafale warplanes in a 4 billion euro (US$4.8 billion) deal.[79]
On 15 March 2022, the United States agreed to sell Egypt variants of
Current inventory
Historical aircraft
Future
Egypt is in an advanced stage of negotiations for the purchase of the Russian strategic air lifter Il-76MD-90A. The first export contracts of the aircraft were to be signed within 4–6 months after the MAKS-2015 air show.[96]
In 2014, Egypt planned to sign a large arms deal with Russia for the purchase of 24 MiG-35 fighter jets.[97][98][99] In February 2015, MiG Director General Sergei Korotkov announced that the company was ready to supply the MiG-35 jets to Egypt should the country request them.[67] However, in April 2015, Egypt signed a $2 billion contract for the purchase of 46 MiG-29M/M2 multi-role fighters instead.[100][101]
Rosoboronexport and the Russian Helicopters holding are engaged in consultations with their Egyptian partners concerning a possible acquisition of Kamov Ka-52K ship-based helicopters for the 2 Mistral-class helicopter carriers that Egypt has agreed to buy from France.[102] An Egyptian Air Force delegation had access to the helicopter before the official opening of the MAKS-2015.[103]
In March 2019, it was reported that Egypt had reached an initial agreement with Russia for the sale of "over 20" Su-35 air superiority fighters in a deal valued at about US$2 billion.[104] Deliveries were expected to begin as early as 2020 or 2021.[105][106] However, deputy head of the Rosoboronexport Sergei Kornev denied any contract regarding the supply of Su-35 fighters to Egypt has been signed.[107] In May 2020 Russia reportedly started producing the Su-35 under a contract with Egypt that was signed in 2018. Pictures taken in July 2020 reportedly showed five Su-35 in EAF camouflage on their delivery voyage. There was also a possibility of future orders for more Su-35 and the new MiG-35.[108][109]
As of January 5, 2022, Egypt, Algeria, and Indonesia have cancelled plans of purchasing the SU-35.[110]
On March 15, 2022, The United States offered to sell the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle to Egypt. The offer's amount of planes and price is to be determined.[80]
Munitions
Aircraft insignia
The roundel of the EAF consists of three circles, with the outside one being red, the middle one white, and the inner one being black, matching the Egyptian flag. Former roundels of the EAF included a similar variant with two green stars used from 1961 to 1973, and one with the old Egyptian crescent and three stars on a green background. Changes in markings reflect political changes.
Roundels
1932–1932 | 1932–1932 | 1932–1945 | 1945–1958 | Proposed (1952) | 1958–1972 | 1972–present |
---|
Tail marking
1932–1945 | 1945–1958 | 1958–1972 | 1972–1984 | 1984–present |
---|
Egyptian Air Force ranks
- Officers
Rank group | General/Flag/Air officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Egyptian Air Force |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
فريق أول Fariq 'awal
|
فريق Fariq
|
لواء Liwa |
عميد Amid |
عقيد Aqid |
مقدم Muqaddam |
رائد Ra'id |
نقيب Naqib |
ملازم أول Mulazim awwal
|
ملازم Mulazim
|
- Enlisted
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Egyptian Air Force |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
مساعد أول Mosa'id awwal |
مساعد Mosa'id |
رقيب أول Raqib awwal |
رقيب Raqib |
عريف 'arif |
جندي Jundi |
See also
Notes
- ^ ISBN 9781032508955.
- ^ "2023 World Air Forces directory". Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Nicolle, David; Sherif Sharmy (24 September 2003). "Battle of el-Mansourah". Middle East Database. Air Combat Information Group. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
- ^ "Egyptian Defense Ministry appoints new Air Force head". 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Chief of Air Staff". mod.gov.eg. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ asisbiz.com (19 June 2012). "RAF No. 41sqn Observer Corps". asisbiz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ "Royal Egyptian Air Force Gladiators". www.webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ Crawford, Alex. "Stirlings in Egypt". ACIG.org. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ Guy Laron (February 2007). "Cutting the Gordian Knot: The Post-WWII Egyptian Quest for Arms and the 1955 Czechoslovak Arms Deal". wilsoncenter.org. p. 16. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
Egyptian representatives were able to sign a new commercial agreement with Czechoslovakia on 24 October 1951, which included a secret clause stating that "the government of Czechoslovakia will provide the Egyptian government with arms and ammunition – to be selected by Egyptian experts – worth about 600 million Egyptian pounds, to be paid in Egyptian cotton." The Egyptian experts requested 200 tanks, 200 armored vehicles, 60 to 100 MIG-15 planes, 2,000 trucks, 1,000 jeeps, and other items... Czechoslovakia would not be able to supply weapons to Egypt in 1952. And each year, from then until 1955, Prague kept finding new reasons to delay the shipments
- ^ Nicolle & Cooper 2004, p. 8.
- ^ Cooper, Tom (18 April 2020). "Did you know the former President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak was a good military pilot? Part 2 Nocturnal Il-28 reconnaissance sorties over Israe". AviationGeekClub.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-511-75143-1
- ^ TAC Special Order, 832d Combat Support Group, see 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- ^ Kenneth M. Pollack, Mark Grimsley, Peter Maslowski, Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948–1991,University of Nebraska Press, 2004 p.170
- ^ Nicolle & Cooper 2004, p. 16.
- ^ Nicolle, Cooper, Arab Migs Volume 4 Units in Combat, 2013, p.37, and [1] Archived 29 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine IAF Inventory
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References
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- Nicolle, David. "Arab-Italian Fighters: Fiats and Macchis in Egyptian and Syrian Service 1948-1956". Air Enthusiast, No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp. 32–36. ISSN 0143-5450
- Nicolle, David (October 2000). "Faux et usage de faux... à la mode égyptienne" [Fakes and the Use of Fakes, in Egyptian Mode]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (91): 21–32. ISSN 1243-8650.
- Nicolle, David (Winter 1993). "Neutral Allies: The Royal Egyptian Air Force in World War Two". ISSN 0143-5450.
- Nicolle, David; Cooper, Tom (2004). Arab MiG-19 and MiG-21 Units in Combat. Osprey Combat Aircraft. Vol. 44. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-655-3..
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External links
- Media related to Air force of Egypt at Wikimedia Commons
- Egyptian Air Force Overview from Scramble
- Pictures of the Egyptian Air Force
- War of Attrition and the October 1973 War
- Al Quwwat al Jawwiya Ilmisriya Egyptian Air Force – EAF
- Boeing Chinook modernisation programme for Egyptian Air Force is on track
- Site of Egyptian Air Force Academy