The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible sale to Egypt of M1A1 Abrams tank kits as well as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $847 million.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 125 M1A1 Abrams tank kits each with a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer, Firepower Enhancement Package and armor upgrades. Additional Major Defense Equipment (MDE) include 125 M256 Armament Systems, 125 M2 .50 caliber machine guns, 250 M204 7.62mm machine guns, and non-MDE for spare and repair parts, special tool and test equipment, personnel training and equipment, publications, US Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support, the agency said.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East, it said.

Egypt is demilitarizing its Soviet fleet. This proposed sale will increase the quantity of the Abrams tank co-production program, started in 1988, from the current level of 880 tanks, to 1005 tanks, it said.

The additional M1A1 tanks will modernise Egypt's tank fleet. Egypt, which has already co-produced the M1A1 Abrams tanks, will have no difficulty absorbing the additional tanks, it added. -TradeArabia News Service