US Delays Delivery of Fighter Jets to Egypt

The ongoing political turmoil in Egypt is costing Egypt's military, at least in the short term.
 
The United States says it is delaying the delivery of four fighter jets to Egypt. Pentagon spokesman George Little cited what he described as the "fluid situation" on the ground.
 "We do not believe it is appropriate to move forward at this time with the delivery of F-16s," he said. "We remain committed to the U.S.-Egypt defense relationship as it remains a foundation of our broader strategic partnership with Egypt and serves as a pillar of regional stability."  

Little said U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Egypt's defense minister to inform him of the decision.

Little also said no decisions have been made about any other military aid to Egypt and the United States plans to proceed with joint military exercises with Egypt later this year.  

The four F-16s are part of a previously arranged sale of 20 of the jets to the Egyptian military. Eight of the planes were delivered in January. In addition to the four originally scheduled for delivery this month, another eight were scheduled for delivery later this year.

Some U.S. lawmakers have been calling for Washington to suspend aid to Egypt since the Egyptian military deposed the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, on July 3.
 
Morsi's supporters call the ouster a coup, but Washington has been hesitant to categorize Morsi's removal from power. A U.S. law stipulates the cut off of aid “to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by a military coup."
 
White House officials have repeatedly said it is not in Washington's best interests to cut off aid to Egypt. Each year, the United States provides $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt.

Key Dates in Egypt

  • February 11, 2011 - President Hosni Mubarak resigns after weeks of massive protests and clashes
  • January 21, 2012 - The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party wins almost half of Egypt's parliamentary seats
  • June 24, 2012 - Mohamed Morsi becomes Egypt's first freely elected president
  • November 22, 2012 - Morsi grants himself sweeping powers, sparking protests
  • July 3, 2013 - The army removes Morsi from power and suspends the constitution

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