US is set to send 14 more military M1A1 Abrams Tank turrets in August to Egypt with more scheduled deliveries, to add to the five vehicles already delivered on 31 July, according to a statement by the US embassy on Tuesday.
The deliveries arrive as part of the “ongoing security support to Egypt” to confront terrorism. The US commitment with Egypt is worth $1.3bn, the statement read.
The amount was halted in October 2013 following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 pending elections of a civilian government. President Barack Obama decided to fully unfreeze the military aid to Egypt earlier this year.
Egypt also received on 31 July eight F-16 fighter jets as part of the aid. The US delivered two Fast Missile naval missiles in June and 10 Apache military helicopters in December.
US Department of State Secretary John Kerry visited Egypt on Sunday 2 August for the long postponed “Strategic Dialogue”. Kerry set out on Monday to Doha in Qatar to meet with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers.
The meeting was held between Kerry and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry where they discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and investment opportunities.
Kerry also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Sunday as to discuss counter-terrorism measures. Kerry praised the efforts during his meeting with Al-Sisi.
The visit took place days prior the inauguration of the new Suez Canal scheduled for 6 August. The inauguration will take place in attendance of a number of heads of states and governments including Russia, France, UK, Sudan, Palestine and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Egypt also received military equipment from France and the UK.
On 20 July, Egypt received three Rafale fighter jets from a total of 24 fighter jets in a deal with France.
According to a July report by Britain’s Department of Business, Innovation, and Skills, during the first three months of 2015, Britain authorised £48.8m (EGP 600m) worth of arms sales to Egypt.
