The United States delivered five M1A1 Abrams Tank turrets to Cairo East Air Base on July 31 as part of ongoing American security support to Egypt. Built in the State of Ohio, the turrets were flown in directly from the United States and immediately delivered to the Egyptian Tank Plant for US-Egyptian M1A1 tank co-production.
U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official in Cairo, Major General Charles Hooper noted, “The co-production of M1A1 tanks in Egypt provides the people and the Armed Forces of Egypt with a strong economic and security capability. The delivery of the turrets will allow over 2,000 Egyptian citizens to work at the production plant, as well as provide the Armed Forces with additional means to fight extremism in the region.”
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The United States’ $1.3 billion commitment this year supports Egypt’s security and military efforts to confront terrorism on several fronts. The delivery of these tank turrets and resumption of co-production manufacturing of M1A1 Abrams tanks is the most recent step taken by the U.S. government in support of a security partnership with Egypt that has continued for over 30 years.
The United States will deliver additional 14 M1A1 turrets to Egypt this August with more scheduled turret deliveries as production continues. In addition, the United States continues to provide follow-on support, maintenance, and training for Egyptian Land Forces.
