[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

Here is a PC remark:

"Israeli defense officials said Egypt's interest in the Russian air defense
systems was not directly connected to Israel but could have an impact in the
event of a future conflict."

The traditional Israeli narrative is that Egypt made peace with Israel when
it realized that it was not able to destroy the Jewish state in the Yom
Kippur War.

But, then again, when Egypt decided on the "reward" it would receive from
the United States in return for generously agreeing to sign a peace treaty
with Israel in return for every centimeter of the Sinai, in the choice
between "guns and butter" it opted heavily for "guns". Egypt has armed
itself with top of the line American weapons systems with an emphasis on the
equipment it would need (including mobile anti-aircraft missile systems) for
a drive across the Sinai towards an invasion of the Jewish State. And this
operation is the common feature of the major military exercises periodically
held (they of course don't say "Israel" - just someone located "to the East
of the Suez Canal". Take out a map...).

Sure, it could very well be that President Mubarak doesn't really have any
plans to actually go through with such a move. But no one in the world can
predict with any reasonable degree of accuracy who or what will rule Egypt
five years from now - let alone a decade from now.

This is a challenge to Israel. To what extent do you actively oppose the
transfer of balance breaking weapons to Egypt? ]

Egypt interested in S-400 to counter Iranian missiles
Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST Jul. 1, 2009
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246296541293&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

In a sign of mounting concern about Teheran's missile capability, the
Egyptian military recently expressed interest in purchasing the
Russian-made, advanced S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

The S-300 is highly effective against aircraft and has a reported ability to
track up to 100 targets simultaneously, while engaging up to 12 at the same
time. It has a range of about 200 km. and can hit targets at altitudes of
27,000 meters.

The S-400 is a more advanced model that is effective not just against
aircraft, but also against long-range ballistic missiles and cruise
missiles. Its range is reportedly 400 km.

Egypt is also working on improving its air force and recently received
approval from the Pentagon to buy 12 Apache Longbow attack helicopters.

Iran has also been trying to acquire the S-300. Russian officials told
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman during his recent visit to Moscow that if
Israel wanted to stop the sale it would need to buy the system in place of
Iran or find an alternative customer.

Defense officials said Israel had no intention in purchasing the system.

Israeli defense officials said Egypt's interest in the Russian air defense
systems was not directly connected to Israel but could have an impact in the
event of a future conflict.

"This is Egypt's answer to the Iranians' growing missile capability," one
official said.

On Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post reported that according to Israeli
assessments, the Islamic republic is close to testing one of its
domestically developed versions of the North Korean BM-25 missile, which has
a range of 3,000 km.

Relations between Teheran and Cairo grew uncharacteristically tense in April
after reports that a Hizbullah terrorist cell - believed to be operating
under orders from Iran - had been uncovered in Egypt, where it was allegedly
planning a series of attacks to undermine President Hosni Mubarak's regime.