Egypt has decided to buy more AH-64E Apache attack helicopters after faced with difficulties of Russian-made Ka-52 helicopters.

According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Government of Egypt has requested to buy ten AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

On 27 November the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale for an estimated cost of $1.0 billion.

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Egypt will buy ten AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, twenty-four 1700-GE-701D Engines, spare parts, and other equipment.

Egypt intends to expand its existing fleet of multi-mission heavy attack helicopters to address U.S.-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula that undermine regional stability. This sale will contribute to Egypt’s military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the U.S., and other allies. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing these additional helicopters into its inventory.

According to a local source, Egypt has decided to buy more AH-64E Apaches after country’s armed forces faced with technical difficulties of Russian-made Ka-52 helicopters. Russian-made Ka-52 helicopter problems were mainly of a technical nature.

New Ka-52 have technical problems with engine installations, avionics, navigation systems, and night vision systems. At hot-climate conditions engine of Ka-52 significantly loses its power in different flight regimes. Also, avionics and navigation systems are untrustworthy which can give rise to an accident situation.

For today, Egypt has received at least 12 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters. The first three Egyptian Ka-52s were handed over in mid-2017 and used for pilot training – 30 pilots and 70 technicians underwent training in Russia.

In 2015 Egypt agreed to acquire 46 conventional Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.