The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of Air Defense Radar Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $355 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 25 January 2021.
The Government of Egypt has requested to buy three (3) SPS-48 Land Based Radar (LBR), spares, motor generators, repeaters, radomes, technical manuals, site surveys, installation, calibrations, testing, operator training, and maintenance training associated with the SPS-48 LBR; obsolescence replacements of processor, track management system, communication equipment, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), generators, and/or Transmitter Control Unit in fielded SPS-48 LBR systems; updated built-in-testing (BIT) and overhaul of fielded SPS-48 LBR antenna systems; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $355 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving the detection of various air threats. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces since Egypt already operates previously procured SPS-48 Land Based Radars.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be L3 Harris Surveillance Systems, Van Nuys, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Egypt with the exception of periodic trips that are 1-5 weeks in duration to participate in program reviews, inspect installations, verify testing, and buy-off equipment.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
The SPS-48 is a complete modern radar system, including all of the major functional elements: low-maintenance frequency-scan antenna, high-performance solid-state transmitter, superheterodyne receiver with digitally controlled frequency synthesizer, and Doppler signal processor - monitored by a comprehensive, integrated built-in-test (BIT) system. The modular system is scalable, providing best-value turnkey solutions customized to specific mission requirements.
Today’s emerging threats vary from high-altitude ballistic missiles to low-flying cruise missiles and aircraft. The modern battlefield requires monitoring of and defense against all of these threats - something only the SPS-48 can do in a single radar. For more than 40 years, SPS-48 radars have provided continuous, reliable operation in complex, hostile land and sea environments.
Within a small footprint, these radars support multiple mission requirements by providing high-performance detection and tracking of targets with very low false alarm rates at high availability and low total cost of ownership.
Sources: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA); L3Harris; File Photo © L3Harris: SPS-48 Land Based Radar (LBR)
