U.S. sells advanced missiles to Egypt

UPI ^ | 2-6-04

[Indy Pendance]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The United States government has decided to sell advanced air-to-air missiles to Egypt.

The Defense Department awarded Raytheon Systems a $54 million contract to ship hundreds of AIM-9M-2 missiles to Egypt, the Middle East Newsline reported Friday.

Raytheon will supply missiles to both Egypt and Taiwan. Egypt will obtain 414 AIM-9M-2 missiles and Taiwan will receive 182 missiles

The AIM-9M-2 is called one of the most advanced short-range missiles available to U.S. allies. The missile can be fired from most U.S.-origin airborne platforms, including Egypt's F-16 multi-role fighters.

[Indy Pendance]

.

[jolie560]

Why Egypt?

[ServesURight]

Scratching my head in disbelief BUMP.

[NTegraT]

I can imagine to whom Taiwan will aim their missile, but who do we think the Egyptians will aim theirs?

[diamondjoe]

"Egypt's gonna get one too,
Just to use on you know who...
So, Israel's getting tense,
Wants one in self-defense,
'The Lord's our Shepherd' says the Psalm,
But just in case--we better get a bomb!"

--"Who's Next?" by Tom Lehrer

[Herodotus]

Umm....so Egypt's expecting a fight against...uh, Israel? Oh no, we have the multinational observer force along the border. Libya? They just kowtowed to the U.S./U.K. and ain't gonna be fighting anyone soon. Sudan? Chad? The Saudis? No one would be going to war without the U.S. stepping in and saying hey, no you can't. What gives?

[rmlew]

Not to worry.
The Israeli Python 4 and new Python 5 are better missles. The are all-aspect like the AIM-9M, but also are aimed with a helmet, creating a wider envelope of attack. The Python 5 also has a range of 15km.

[Alter Kaker]

Thank you very much, United States of America.

[Solamente]

I sure as hell hope we planted something within that technology that allows us to disable it should the need arise.

[GulfWar1Vet]

What's the missile range, anyone know?

Could be used against the Troops in Iraq? Yikes.

[Gunrunner2]

People, people, people. . .calm down.

Ever hear or "FMS security deletions?"

That would be Foreign Military Sales security deletions.

Meaning we may sell some piece of military equipment but the actual guts and technical capability have been dumbed down to ensure, a) Israel keeps its qualitative edge, and b) US keeps the edge of Israel and Egypt.

We don't sell the good stuff.

(I do this sort of stuff for a living and there is a heck of a lot that goes on when we sell stuff, and it is NOT driven by industry---see below).

Notes from a lecture I give on the subject:

Overview
Historical Background
Reasons Why the US Engages in FMS
How Does the Process Work?
What Are The Laws Affecting FMS
Myths and Misconceptions about “Gunrunning”
Reality Check

Historical Background
US Has History of Isolationism
Sep 1940: WWII Looms for America
FDR Wants to Delay US Entry, Initiates “Destroyers for Democracy” Program
1941: “Lend-Lease Act” Passed.
Congress Permits President to Lend/Lease/Sell Arms to Britain, Commonwealth, China
By Wars End, Virtually All Allies Receive Arms
Lend-Lease Valued at $50.6 Billion
1947: Cold War and the Arms Race is On

Historical Background
Cold War Shapes US Political-Military Policy for Next 40 years
“Containment Policy” to Fight Communism
“Truman Doctrine” Promoted Containment by Helping Friendly Countries That Request Aid
1947: Greece and Turkey Are Fighting Communist Insurgency
US Grants $400 Million in Aid
Thus Begins the Great International Arms Trade in Foreign Military Sales (FMS)

Why The US Conducts FMS
Sales Permit Physical Access to Country
Access Important for Strategic Reasons (Gulf War)
Access Results in Increased Influence on Political Matters
US Arms Sales Strictly Controlled by Legal and Financial Constraints
Break the Rules, Lose the Loan, Lose Technical & Logistics Support, Deliveries Suspended

Why The US Conducts FMS
Access and Influence Enhances Security
“The President Must Determine The Eligibility of the Prospective Purchaser on the Basis that Sales Will Strengthen US Security and Promote World Peace” (DoD 5105.38-M)
Why The US Conducts FMS
FMS Enhances US Security By:
Keeping Technical “Know-How” Current (R&D)
Keeping Factory Doors Open to Ensure US Defense Capability in Time of Crisis

Infrastructure = Security
However, US Defense Industry Suffering from World-Wide Defense Cuts
US Defense Spending is so Low, Pentagon is Now Unable to Fully Support Defense Infrastructure
Why The US Conducts FMS
Why The US Conducts FMS
Downsized and Reduced US Overseas Presence Demands Coalition Partners
US No Longer Able to Afford Large Forward Bases
FMS Takes the Place of “Actual” Presence
US Presence is Maintained Through Arms/Support

Coalition Shares Cost of R&D and Production
Lower Cost-per-Unit, Means Sufficient Numbers to Satisfy Defense Needs

Coalition Means Almost Seamless Integration, Less Loss of Life, Increased Opportunities for Success

How Does the Process Work
Country Requests “Price & Availability”
Country Must Be on Congressionally Approved List before P&A is Provided
Specific Military Department Contacts Defense Industry to Get Rough P&A Estimate
Military Department Does “Sanity Check” to Make Sure Price is Reasonable
If P&A Appears Reasonable, P&A is Passed to Country

How Does the Process Work
Country Considers P&A and Submits Formal “Letter of Request” if they want the Stuff
The LOR is Evaluated and Validated
Evaluated for Authority to ask for the Stuff
Validated for Permission to Have the Stuff
If LOR Approved, The Process is Started

How Does the Process Work
“Letter of Offer and Acceptance” is Prepared
LOA is a “Total Package” Contract:
Establishes Terms and Conditions
Specific items to be Sold, Delivery Schedule, Liabilities, Cost, Training, Logistics, Follow-On Support, The Works!
LOA Must be Approved By White House, DoD, Commerce Dept, State Dept, and “others” (if Required)

How Does the Process Work
President Notifies Congress When:
More than $50 Million in Military Stuff
More than $200 Million in Construction
More than $14 Million in Major Items
At any Price, If “Significant Military Equipment” is Involved
When Congress Notified, President Explains:
How the Sale Affects the Balance of Power
Impacts the Arms-Race
Impact on US Technological Edge
How it Supports US National Interests

How Does the Process Work
Congress Thinks About the Sale
20-Day “Unofficial” Notification
30-Day “Official” Notification
50-Days to Approve/Disapprove Sale
Lack of Objection = Approval
Country has 120-Days to Sign
Country Accepts and US Military is Honest Broker
Conducts Program Management Reviews
Monitors Delivery and Upgrades
Modifies or Amends the Contract

Legal Authority
Foreign Assistance Act
Section 516; Nato
Section 517; Counter-Drug
Section 518; Bio-Diversity
Section 519; “No Cost” FMS
Section 520; Modernization
Arms Export Control Act
DOD 5105.38-M, Security Assistance

Myths and Misconceptions
US Sells Arms For the Bucks
US Sells Arms Because a Manufacturer Wants to
US Sells Arms Because We Can
Hollywood Has a Clue about FMS

Reality Check
FMS Promotes Peace and Security
FMS Protects US National Security
FMS Has Oversight and Accountability
FMS is Big Bucks—But Not the Driving Factor

Discussion/Questions