Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 64621 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09CAIRO1463, EGYPT: COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT OF THE EGYPTIAN ACQUISITION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09CAIRO1463.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09CAIRO1463 2009-07-30 09:03 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Cairo
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #1463/01 2110903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300903Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3297
INFO RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CAIRO 001463 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA (IRWIN) AND PM (ARCHETTO) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR EG
 
SUBJECT: EGYPT: COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT OF THE EGYPTIAN ACQUISITION 
OF AVENGER DEPOT LEVEL REPAIR CAPABILITY. 
 
REF:  A. EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LETTER OF REQUEST 08/AD/062 
 
Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please Protect Accordingly. 
 
1. (SBU) Description:  The Government of Egypt (GOE) has requested 
the release of depot level repair capability for the Avenger 
vehicle-mounted short-range air defense system.  This depot level 
repair capability would consist of electronic test equipment, 
technical data and training for component level testing and 
repair/replacement of Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs) on the Avenger 
system. 
 
2. (SBU) The reason Egypt desires the articles or services: 
 
      a.  Modernizing its air defense inventory with the Avenger 
system, and associated Sentinel radar and Forward Area Air Defense 
Command and Control (FAAD C2), remains a central component of 
Egypt's plan to modernize its armed forces. 
 
      b.  Egypt currently must send failed SRUs to the US for repair 
and subsequent return to Egypt.  This process, known as "repair and 
return", is extremely lengthy.  An in-country depot level repair 
capability would significantly shorten the time required, thus 
improving operational readiness rates for the Avenger fleet. 
 
      c.  An in-country depot level capability also has the 
potential of long-term cost savings, due to the elimination of 
shipping/transportation costs to the US and lower labor costs in 
Egypt.  However, depot level capability will require a significant 
initial investment. 
 
3. (SBU) How does the Avenger depot level repair capability 
contribute to both the US and the GOE's defense/security goals: 
 
      a.  The release of Avenger depot level repair capability will 
strengthen the US-Egyptian mil-to-mil relationship as it 
demonstrates the USG's commitment to be Egypt's primary military 
partner and arms supplier.  Demonstration of this commitment 
contributes to efforts to keep Egypt from developing hedging 
strategies on security matters with other world powers such as 
Russia or China. 
 
      b.  If Egypt makes the decision to procure a depot level 
repair capability for Avenger (following a releaseability 
determination), the US Army may benefit from the Test Program Sets 
and other software/hardware developed for Egypt.  As Egypt will most 
likely bear most or all of the Non-Recurring Engineering costs, 
there may be a substantial cost avoidance for the US Army. 
 
      c.  Releasing an Avenger depot level repair capability to 
Egypt may increase opportunities for future sales of the Avenger 
system to Egypt and other regional partners. 
 
4. (SBU) Justification for the type and quantity of articles or 
services requested: 
 
      a.  An in-country depot level repair capability will greatly 
reduce repair times by eliminating the requirement to ship SRUs to 
the US and return them to Egypt after repair.  This will increase 
operational readiness rates for the Egyptian Avenger fleet. 
 
      b.  The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar is the primary radar used 
with the Avenger air defense system.  Egypt has already been granted 
release approval for a Sentinel depot level repair capability. 
 
5. (SBU) Combatant Commander's concurrence to the introduction of a 
new war fighting capability to the nation or region:  CENTCOM to 
provide Combatant Commander's assessment separately. 
 
6. (SBU) Anticipated reactions of neighboring nations:  As Egypt 
already possesses the Avenger air defense system, there should be 
little or no reaction.  Release of Avenger depot level repair 
capability should not affect the regional balance of power, nor 
should it cause negative reactions with the exception of Israel. 
This sale will not reduce Israel's qualitative military edge. 
 
7. (SBU) Assessment of the nation's ability to account for, 
safeguard, operate, maintain, and support the articles:  The 
Government of Egypt has demonstrated the intent and ability to 
protect sensitive, classified military technology over an extended 
period, including over 14 years of experience with the M1A1 tank 
program. 
 
      8. (SBU) Training required either in country or in the United 
States and anticipated reactions resulting from the presence of US 
trainers in country:  The number of trainers is expected to be small 
 
(five or less) for any in-country training and short-term (less than 
one year).  The program may require up to three US defense 
contractor personnel to provide technical assistance over a period 
of several years.  This training footprint is small in comparison to 
the number of trainers and technical assistance personnel already 
in-country and is unlikely to generate a reaction. 
 
9. (SBU) Possible impact of any in-country US presence that might be 
required as a result of providing the article:  There has been no 
perceived negative impact from trainer or technical assistance 
personnel in the past. 
 
10. (SBU) Source of financing and the economic impact of the 
proposed acquisition:  Financing would be provided by Egyptian 
Foreign Military Financing - Grant (FMF-G) money and would not have 
a significant impact on Egypt's private economy. 
 
11. (SBU) Human rights considerations relevant to the proposed 
acquisition:  There are no human rights considerations that preclude 
approval of an Avenger depot level repair capability. 
 
12. (SBU) Plan for end-use monitoring and plan for compliance 
verification:  No special or unique end use monitoring requirements 
would apply.  Personnel from the Office of Military Cooperation and 
US Army Aviation and Missile Command - Egypt Liaison Office would 
make periodic visits to the repair facility. 
 
13. (SBU) Country Team Recommendation:  The country team recommends 
the USG approve the release of Avenger depot level repair capability 
to Egypt.   This is a coordinated mission position. 
 
TUELLER