Biden Approves $2.6B Sale Of Chinook Helicopters To Egypt

The Biden administration approved on Thursday the potential $2.6 billion sale to Egypt of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, and related equipment.

The package includes nearly two-dozen Chinooks, 56 T-55-GA-714A engines, 52 Embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation Systems, 29 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, and 75 M-240 machine guns, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

Congress was notified about the possible sale on Thursday.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East," the DSCA said.

"The proposed sale will improve Egypt's heavy lift capability. Egypt will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces," it added.

The notification to lawmakers sets off a 30-day legislative review period in which Congress can pass a joint resolution disapproving the sale, but it has never been able to successfully block a transaction, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The DSCA last week notified Congress that it approved a prospective $691 million sale of anti-tank missiles to Egypt. That sale, if it is finalized, would include 5,070 TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles, spare parts, tools, test equipment and training. -