Egypt orders upward of 20 Russian fighter jets in USD 2 bn agreement

Egypt orders upward of 20 Russian fighter jets in USD 2 bn agreement: Egyptian officials have signed a USD 2 bn agreement with the Russians to purchase over 20 Su-35 fighter jets, the Kommersant business daily quoted two defense industry sources as saying. The agreement will see Russia supply the jets, alongside aircraft weaponry, in 2020-21. The pact could present problems for Cairo’s relations with the US, which has threatened to place sanctions on countries which do business with Russian arms companies, Stratfor warns in a situation report. Russia is one of the leading suppliers of arms to Egypt, and data released last week has shown Egypt is the world’s third largest arms importer. Reuters also has the story.