P 251116Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1448
INFO HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
CDRUSASAC FT BELVOIR VA PRIORITY

UNCLAS CAIRO 000124 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR EG
 
SUBJECT: EGYPT: COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROCUREMENT 
OF SIX (6) REDUCED PRICE CH-47D HELICOPTERS TO SUPPORT THE 
GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT,S (GOE) SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN 
ASSISTANCE MISSIONS. 
 
REF: A. EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LETTER OF REQUEST 
        (LOR) 08-134 FOR LETTER OF OFFER AND 
        ACCEPTANCE (LOA) DATED 13 JUL 08. 
     ¶B. ATTACHMENT 1 TO LOR 08-134 TOTAL PACKAGE 
        REQUIREMENTS FOR CASE DEVELOPMENT DATED 
        15 OCT 08. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Description.  In REF A, The GOE submitted a request 
to procure six (6) reduced price CH-47D Helicopters utilizing 
the U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter Alternative Procurement 
Strategy (CHAPS).  These aircraft will perform a myriad of 
Security and Humanitarian Assistance missions for the EAF, as 
well as support several of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) 
Services.  These aircraft will perform tasks associated with 
the Airborne Landing of Forces, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) 
and Disaster Relief missions.  All missions will be in 
compliance with the standards and regulations outlined within 
current international and regional agreements.  Additional 
information is available at www.mmc.gov.eg. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Reason the purchaser desires the articles or 
services.  Recent events throughout Egypt and the region with 
regard to disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and 
medical evacuation support the GOE initiative to increase its 
rotary-wing capability to perform critical tasks associated 
with these missions.  The CH-47D (Chinook) helicopter with 
additional search and rescue mission equipment was identified 
by the U.S. Army and Chinook Program Manager more than a year 
ago, as a suitable rotary-wing platform to support the GOE 
specific Mission Requirements.  This action will greatly 
increase the overall capability of the EAF to support cargo 
helicopter operations across multiple mission profiles.  An 
increase in aircraft availability will enhance the overall 
readiness of the fleet and individual aviator proficiency. 
 
¶3. (SBU) How the articles or services would affect the 
recipient,s force structure.  The EAF originally procured 19 
CH-47 Helicopters (15 x C, 4 x D Models) in 1981 and has had 
one incident since then that resulted in the total loss of 
the aircraft.  The EAF completed the upgrade of the 15 C 
Model aircraft in 2007 and currently operate and maintain 18 
CH-47D aircraft.  There will be no change to the existing 
mission and primary roles of the CH-47D.  The addition of six 
(6) aircraft would substantially assist the MOD and EAF with 
allocating additional resources to the various missions. 
 
¶4. (SBU) How the articles or services would contribute to 
both the U.S. and the recipient,s defense/security goals. 
Aircraft sales are consistent with DOD's Security Cooperation 
Guidance as it enhances the territorial security and crisis 
response capabilities of regional states.  It assists the 
U.S. in enabling allies and partners, while also protecting 
U.S. and partner interests.  It supports the modernization 
and transformation of allies or partners to reduce their 
vulnerability to external military sales.  Finally, it 
improves their ability to operate independently without 
significant reliance on U.S. or coalition Forces.  These 
additional aircraft will significantly increase the amount of 
US-based training, joint training exercises and possibly 
impact the frequency of coalition operations with the US and 
its other allies. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Justification for the type and quantity of articles 
or services requested.  A detailed analysis and review of 
several suitable airframes was completed by EAF with input 
from the Utility Cargo Helicopter Office (UPHO) and Cargo 
Helicopter Program Manager.  Their findings revealed that the 
CH-47D Chinook Helicopter with optional medical and search 
and rescue equipment would be an excellent airframe to 
support the various GOE missions.  The procurement of these 
aircraft is a natural progression to modernize assets and 
significantly improve an existing capability. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Combatant Commander's concurrence to the 
introduction of a new warfighting capability to the nation or 
region.  Combatant Commander's concurrence will be provided 
separately. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Anticipated reactions of the neighboring nations. 
The procurement of these additional cargo helicopters should 
not influence the regional balance of power or cause negative 
reactions from any of Egypt's neighbors.  This procurement 
introduces an increase in capability for Egypt, but does not 
introduce new technology to the country or region.  Several 
regional allies have recently purchased similar airframes 
through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial 
Sales (DCS) programs, with U.S. concurrence.  These assets 
will greatly enhance Egypt,s ability to participate in 
combined regional training exercises, as well as disaster 
relief missions.  This procurement will not impact Israel's 
qualitative military edge. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Assessment of the nation's ability to account for, 
safeguard, operate, maintain, and support the articles.  The 
GOE has demonstrated the intent and ability to protect 
sensitive, classified military technology over an extended 
period.  Egypt signed a General Security of Information 
Agreement with the U.S. and as a customer, has purchased and 
protected the sensitive technology of other U.S. weapons 
systems.  Egypt has procured similar rotary-wing aircraft in 
the past to include eighteen (18) CH-47 Chinook Helicopters 
that currently provide support to the EAF, MOD services and 
the Search and Rescue Operations Center at Al Maza Air Base. 
The EAF has met all previous security and End Use monitoring 
(EUM) requirements. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Training required either in-country or in the United 
States and anticipated reactions resulting from the presence 
of U.S. trainers in country.  The EAF already maintains a 
squadron of eighteen (18) CH-47D Helicopters.  The EAF pilots 
and maintenance personnel currently complete all CH-47 
Chinook Aviator Qualification Courses (AQC), Instructor Pilot 
Courses (IPC), Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) Courses, Flight 
Engineer and maintenance related courses in the U.S.  The 
addition of six (6) aircraft will increase the EAF,s 
stateside training requirements by a minimum of twelve (12) 
AQCs, two (2) IPCs, two (2) MTP courses and eight (8) flight 
engineer courses.  There is no requirement for an additional 
Mobile Training Team (MTT).  The continued presence of the 
Chinook Technical Assistance and Fielding Team (TAFT) is 
required to support the fleet throughout the duration of 
aircraft delivery.  The presence of U.S. trainers in country 
will have little anticipated reaction because of the 
long-term existence of Security Assistance Teams (SATs) 
already assigned in country. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Possible impact of any in-country U.S. presence 
that might be required as a result of providing the article. 
U.S. Government civilian personnel and U.S. contractors are 
permanently assigned to Egypt to support the current EAF 
CH-47D program.  Those US positions have been filled for over 
six years.  There is an expected increase of US personnel 
in-country that would be necessary to support the arrival, 
bed-down and sustainment of the additional aircraft resulting 
from this procurement.  A majority of the personnel will be 
on temporary duty status and very few positions will require 
additional personnel to remain in Egypt for more than one 
year.  Additionally, U.S. Government teams and U.S. 
contractor teams routinely travel to Egypt to support the 
various weapon systems procured through the U.S. FMS 
programs.  There is no anticipated negative impact that would 
result from the continued presence of these Americans in 
Egypt. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Source of financing and the economic impact of the 
proposed acquisition.  Egypt plans to procure these six (6) 
aircraft utilizing Foreign Military Financing and has already 
allocated sufficient funds within their FY09-FY13 budget. 
This acquisition is essential for the GOE to conduct airborne 
landing of forces, humanitarian assistance and search and 
rescue missions.  This requirement is on both the FY09 JAVITS 
Report and the Egyptian Armament Authority (EAA) Priority 
List.  Egypt is not planning to use national funds to pay for 
any portion of this procurement.  The economic impact of the 
proposed acquisition will generate more than $200 million 
dollars for the U.S. Army,s Cargo Helicopter Program and the 
U.S. economy.  The sale of these reduced price aircraft is 
critical to offset the costs of the U.S. Army,s CH-47D, 
total fleet conversion to F Model aircraft over the next six 
years. 
 
¶12. (SBU) Human rights considerations relevant to the 
proposed acquisition. None. 
 
¶13. (SBU) A plan for end-use monitoring for sensitive and 
advanced warfighting technology and the SAO,s plan for 
compliance verification.  The Office of Military Cooperation 
(OMC) Egypt has a robust Golden Sentry Program.  The Golden 
Sentry Program representative and Security Assistance Officer 
(SAO) responsible for the program, will coordinate for the 
review and maintenance of required documentation.  All 
parties will maintain serial number lists of all components 
within the inventory or transferred, and will conduct the 
mandated inspections as required.  This coordination will 
ensure that historical copies of all EUM Inspection results 
and customer,s physical security and accountability control 
plans remain on file.  The Egyptian military currently has 
over 100 helicopters (FMS) of various configurations in 
country.  Egypt has maintained accountability and security of 
these aircraft without unauthorized loss, theft, or access to 
date.  The GOE has indicated a willingness to meet U.S. 
guidelines for accountability and security of these advanced 
aircraft, and the Office of Military Cooperation will conduct 
End Use Monitoring (EUM) of all required components if this 
request is approved. 
 
¶14. (SBU) Recommendation whether the USG should approve 
transfer of the article and justification.  The country team 
supports USG approval of the GOE procurement of up to six (6) 
Reduced Price CH-47D helicopters for the airborne transport 
of troops, humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation and 
search and rescue missions.  The purchase of additional 
airframes should in no way diminish the amount of follow-on 
support for the current fleet.  Also, there will be funding 
lines in the Letter of Acceptance for training, to include 
pilot and English language and infrastructure for overall 
base improvements.  Particulars for the infrastructure and 
training are contained as an attachment to the Letter of 
Request.  This is a coordinated mission position. 
SCOBEY 
 
 
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