Egypt continues talks with the US for up to 46 F-15 Eagle fighter jets
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Egypt and the United States are continuing negotiations over a potential sale of up to 46 Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle fighter jets, first discussed publicly in 2022.
As reported by Tactical Report on November 3, 2025, Egypt’s negotiations with the United States for the acquisition of Boeing F-15 Eagle fighter jets are still ongoing, with no final agreement or production schedule confirmed. The proposed sale, valued at several billion dollars and covering up to 46 units, is expected to replace the canceled Su-35 procurement and expand Egypt’s Air Force modernization program. According to earlier reports, the U.S. has approved the deal in principle, but export control reviews and political factors continue to delay a formal contract announcement.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
If concluded, the F-15 Eagle sale would most logically draw from the Advanced Eagle variants already in production, with reinforced wings and structure, full digital fly-by-wire, and a cockpit built around large-area displays to reduce pilot workload. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The initial signal confirming U.S. willingness to supply the F-15 Eagle to Egypt was made public in March 2022 during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, where General Frank McKenzie, the then-Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), explicitly declared: “In the case of Egypt, I think we have good news in that we are going to provide them with F-15s.” However, while the United States has reportedly approved the deal in principle, neither a final contract signature nor the detailed configuration, production schedule, or delivery plan has yet been made public. The American proposal, updated on June 1, 2022, was reportedly downgraded and under-equipped compared with configurations delivered to other export customers, leading to dissatisfaction from the Egyptian side.
Cairo is understood to be seeking a modern variant similar to the F-15SA or F-15QA, but U.S. export control restrictions and regional political sensitivities continue to shape the pace and substance of the negotiation. The total number of aircraft requested by Egypt is estimated at up to 46 units, intended to fill the gap left by the cancelled Russian Su-35 acquisition. The overall value of the deal, which could include weapons, training, maintenance, and logistical support, is expected to reach several billion dollars, although no formal notification through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has yet been issued.
The potential introduction of one of the variants from the F-15 Advanced Eagle family into Egyptian service could align with Cairo’s long-term plan to modernize and diversify its Air Force. Egypt’s current combat aircraft fleet includes approximately 218 F-16A/C Fighting Falcons, 24 Rafales already delivered with an additional 31 on order, and older aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, Mirage 5, and MiG-29M/M2. Egypt had previously attempted to acquire Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft from Russia, but this effort reportedly collapsed due to concerns related to the U.S. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and interoperability issues with Western systems.
As a result, the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) sought alternatives from Western suppliers, particularly those offering long-range and heavy-payload multirole fighters. The integration of F-15s would expand the EAF’s capacity for air-superiority and long-range strike missions, providing extended endurance, greater payload flexibility, and improved sensor integration compared with its existing platforms. The logistical challenge of incorporating a new aircraft type into a mixed fleet is significant, requiring investment in pilot training, base infrastructure, and sustainment systems, yet the introduction of the F-15 would considerably increase the operational reach and flexibility of the Egyptian Air Force across the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Red Sea.
Israel, while traditionally cautious about U.S. arms sales to neighboring states, has reportedly supported the idea of an F-15 transfer to Egypt, viewing it as a means to strengthen U.S.–Egypt defense ties and maintain regional stability under a controlled framework. However, U.S. law obliges Washington to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME), which may restrict Egypt’s access to certain radar modes, advanced missiles such as the AIM-120D, or specific electronic warfare technologies. This factor contributes to Egypt’s insistence on receiving an adequately equipped configuration. Congressional concerns over human rights and end-use monitoring in Egypt also represent possible barriers to approval. From a strategic standpoint, the acquisition would reinforce Cairo’s deterrence posture, particularly in protecting maritime routes through the Suez Canal and securing borders against transnational threats. Still, the long-term effectiveness of such a capability would depend on Egypt’s ability to maintain high aircraft availability rates.
If concluded, the acquisition would likely be based on the Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle platform, the latest evolution of the F-15 family. This configuration is characterized by a strengthened wing and airframe structure rated for longer service life, a fully digital fly-by-wire control system, and an advanced cockpit layout featuring large-area displays. The aircraft incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets and engaging them across wide azimuth sectors, an optional infrared search-and-track (IRST) system for passive detection, and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) providing digital radar warning and countermeasures management. Conformal fuel tanks mounted along the engine intakes increase the aircraft’s range while keeping all underwing pylons available for weapons carriage. The open mission architecture allows for the integration of new sensors, weapons, and datalink upgrades over time. Structural improvements across the Advanced Eagle family extend the service life up to approximately 20,000 flight hours, enabling long-term sustainment cycles.
The F-15 Advanced Eagle family includes several major variants: the F-15SA for Saudi Arabia, the F-15QA for Qatar, and the F-15EX Eagle II for the United States Air Force. Each shares the same digital baseline architecture while differing in national configurations and mission systems. The F-15SA introduced the digital flight control system and modern cockpit, the F-15QA added further sensor integration and improved environmental control, and the F-15EX serves as the U.S. Air Force’s new heavy air-superiority and strike fighter, replacing older F-15C/D models. The F-15EX carries a maximum payload of about 13,400 kilograms, has a top speed of Mach 2.5, a combat range exceeding 1,200 kilometers, and a service ceiling of around 18,000 meters. It is powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, each providing roughly 29,000 pounds of thrust. The platform can carry up to twelve air-to-air missiles or a combination of guided bombs and long-range standoff weapons. For Egypt, adopting a configuration derived from this lineage would provide a proven structural and systems baseline, ensuring compatibility with existing U.S. logistics and training frameworks.
The F-15 lineage traces back to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, first flown in 1972 and introduced in 1976 as a dedicated air-superiority fighter. Designed around the principle of maintaining air dominance through superior maneuverability, thrust-to-weight ratio, and radar performance, the aircraft achieved an exceptional combat record, credited with more than one hundred air-to-air victories and no confirmed losses in aerial combat. The success of the original F-15A/B/C/D models led to the development of the dual-role F-15E Strike Eagle in the late 1980s, which introduced advanced radar, terrain-following systems, and night strike capabilities. The subsequent F-15SA, F-15QA, and F-15EX iterations further evolved the design through modern avionics, digital systems, and multirole adaptability. For Egypt, the potential procurement of the Advanced Eagle represents entry into a fighter lineage with extensive operational maturity, high mission availability, and long-term upgrade potential. The decision to finalize this deal would therefore reflect not only a modernization of equipment but also a broader strategic alignment within U.S.–Egypt defense relations.
The introduction of the F-15 into Egyptian service would have both operational and political implications. Operationally, it would grant Egypt the capacity to conduct sustained long-range air patrols, precision strike missions, and deterrence operations under a Western support framework. Politically, it would mark a consolidation of Egypt’s shift toward Western defense partnerships after several years of diversification across multiple suppliers. The integration of the aircraft would require new maintenance depots, simulators, and technical training centers, as well as long-term agreements on munitions resupply and mission-data updates. If successfully implemented, the acquisition would significantly enhance Egypt’s air defense and strike potential for the coming decades. However, to date, the program remains contingent upon final U.S. authorization, financial arrangements, and alignment with export policy conditions.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Egypt and the United States are continuing negotiations over a potential sale of up to 46 Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle fighter jets, first discussed publicly in 2022.
As reported by Tactical Report on November 3, 2025, Egypt’s negotiations with the United States for the acquisition of Boeing F-15 Eagle fighter jets are still ongoing, with no final agreement or production schedule confirmed. The proposed sale, valued at several billion dollars and covering up to 46 units, is expected to replace the canceled Su-35 procurement and expand Egypt’s Air Force modernization program. According to earlier reports, the U.S. has approved the deal in principle, but export control reviews and political factors continue to delay a formal contract announcement.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
If concluded, the F-15 Eagle sale would most logically draw from the Advanced Eagle variants already in production, with reinforced wings and structure, full digital fly-by-wire, and a cockpit built around large-area displays to reduce pilot workload. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The initial signal confirming U.S. willingness to supply the F-15 Eagle to Egypt was made public in March 2022 during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, where General Frank McKenzie, the then-Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), explicitly declared: “In the case of Egypt, I think we have good news in that we are going to provide them with F-15s.” However, while the United States has reportedly approved the deal in principle, neither a final contract signature nor the detailed configuration, production schedule, or delivery plan has yet been made public. The American proposal, updated on June 1, 2022, was reportedly downgraded and under-equipped compared with configurations delivered to other export customers, leading to dissatisfaction from the Egyptian side.
Cairo is understood to be seeking a modern variant similar to the F-15SA or F-15QA, but U.S. export control restrictions and regional political sensitivities continue to shape the pace and substance of the negotiation. The total number of aircraft requested by Egypt is estimated at up to 46 units, intended to fill the gap left by the cancelled Russian Su-35 acquisition. The overall value of the deal, which could include weapons, training, maintenance, and logistical support, is expected to reach several billion dollars, although no formal notification through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has yet been issued.
The potential introduction of one of the variants from the F-15 Advanced Eagle family into Egyptian service could align with Cairo’s long-term plan to modernize and diversify its Air Force. Egypt’s current combat aircraft fleet includes approximately 218 F-16A/C Fighting Falcons, 24 Rafales already delivered with an additional 31 on order, and older aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, Mirage 5, and MiG-29M/M2. Egypt had previously attempted to acquire Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft from Russia, but this effort reportedly collapsed due to concerns related to the U.S. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and interoperability issues with Western systems.
As a result, the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) sought alternatives from Western suppliers, particularly those offering long-range and heavy-payload multirole fighters. The integration of F-15s would expand the EAF’s capacity for air-superiority and long-range strike missions, providing extended endurance, greater payload flexibility, and improved sensor integration compared with its existing platforms. The logistical challenge of incorporating a new aircraft type into a mixed fleet is significant, requiring investment in pilot training, base infrastructure, and sustainment systems, yet the introduction of the F-15 would considerably increase the operational reach and flexibility of the Egyptian Air Force across the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Red Sea.
Israel, while traditionally cautious about U.S. arms sales to neighboring states, has reportedly supported the idea of an F-15 transfer to Egypt, viewing it as a means to strengthen U.S.–Egypt defense ties and maintain regional stability under a controlled framework. However, U.S. law obliges Washington to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME), which may restrict Egypt’s access to certain radar modes, advanced missiles such as the AIM-120D, or specific electronic warfare technologies. This factor contributes to Egypt’s insistence on receiving an adequately equipped configuration. Congressional concerns over human rights and end-use monitoring in Egypt also represent possible barriers to approval. From a strategic standpoint, the acquisition would reinforce Cairo’s deterrence posture, particularly in protecting maritime routes through the Suez Canal and securing borders against transnational threats. Still, the long-term effectiveness of such a capability would depend on Egypt’s ability to maintain high aircraft availability rates.
If concluded, the acquisition would likely be based on the Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle platform, the latest evolution of the F-15 family. This configuration is characterized by a strengthened wing and airframe structure rated for longer service life, a fully digital fly-by-wire control system, and an advanced cockpit layout featuring large-area displays. The aircraft incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets and engaging them across wide azimuth sectors, an optional infrared search-and-track (IRST) system for passive detection, and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) providing digital radar warning and countermeasures management. Conformal fuel tanks mounted along the engine intakes increase the aircraft’s range while keeping all underwing pylons available for weapons carriage. The open mission architecture allows for the integration of new sensors, weapons, and datalink upgrades over time. Structural improvements across the Advanced Eagle family extend the service life up to approximately 20,000 flight hours, enabling long-term sustainment cycles.
The F-15 Advanced Eagle family includes several major variants: the F-15SA for Saudi Arabia, the F-15QA for Qatar, and the F-15EX Eagle II for the United States Air Force. Each shares the same digital baseline architecture while differing in national configurations and mission systems. The F-15SA introduced the digital flight control system and modern cockpit, the F-15QA added further sensor integration and improved environmental control, and the F-15EX serves as the U.S. Air Force’s new heavy air-superiority and strike fighter, replacing older F-15C/D models. The F-15EX carries a maximum payload of about 13,400 kilograms, has a top speed of Mach 2.5, a combat range exceeding 1,200 kilometers, and a service ceiling of around 18,000 meters. It is powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, each providing roughly 29,000 pounds of thrust. The platform can carry up to twelve air-to-air missiles or a combination of guided bombs and long-range standoff weapons. For Egypt, adopting a configuration derived from this lineage would provide a proven structural and systems baseline, ensuring compatibility with existing U.S. logistics and training frameworks.
The F-15 lineage traces back to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, first flown in 1972 and introduced in 1976 as a dedicated air-superiority fighter. Designed around the principle of maintaining air dominance through superior maneuverability, thrust-to-weight ratio, and radar performance, the aircraft achieved an exceptional combat record, credited with more than one hundred air-to-air victories and no confirmed losses in aerial combat. The success of the original F-15A/B/C/D models led to the development of the dual-role F-15E Strike Eagle in the late 1980s, which introduced advanced radar, terrain-following systems, and night strike capabilities. The subsequent F-15SA, F-15QA, and F-15EX iterations further evolved the design through modern avionics, digital systems, and multirole adaptability. For Egypt, the potential procurement of the Advanced Eagle represents entry into a fighter lineage with extensive operational maturity, high mission availability, and long-term upgrade potential. The decision to finalize this deal would therefore reflect not only a modernization of equipment but also a broader strategic alignment within U.S.–Egypt defense relations.
The introduction of the F-15 into Egyptian service would have both operational and political implications. Operationally, it would grant Egypt the capacity to conduct sustained long-range air patrols, precision strike missions, and deterrence operations under a Western support framework. Politically, it would mark a consolidation of Egypt’s shift toward Western defense partnerships after several years of diversification across multiple suppliers. The integration of the aircraft would require new maintenance depots, simulators, and technical training centers, as well as long-term agreements on munitions resupply and mission-data updates. If successfully implemented, the acquisition would significantly enhance Egypt’s air defense and strike potential for the coming decades. However, to date, the program remains contingent upon final U.S. authorization, financial arrangements, and alignment with export policy conditions.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
