Israeli generals are worried about what they consider as Egyptian military resurgence. Within this framework, the Israelis have sought to block delivery of advanced American weapons to Cairo, reported Jane’s magazine.
The reason given for this Israeli move is that Israeli military intelligence discovered that in all recent Egyptian army exercises, the targeted enemy was Israel. Therefore, the Jewish state acted quickly and asked the Americans not to supply Egypt with new, state-of-the-art F-15s. At first the Americans refused. However, according to the London-based publication, Bush administration changed its mind after the Israelis provided them with proof.
According to Israeli security sources, Egypt has turned its army into a modern, massive fighting force. Most of its outdated Russian weapons have been replaced by Western equipment. The army comprises 445,000 soldiers and is bigger than Israel's. The Egyptian navy, with 22 missile-firing warships, is larger than Israel's.
When the Palestinian uprising started, Egypt's military forces were placed on 'standby'. In another somewhat warlike act, Israeli commando seized the arms-ship Karine A in Egyptian territorial waters, indicating Israel's clear advantage in intelligence and electronic warfare.
The Egyptians are obliged to assist the Palestinians if Israel seizes what remains of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This is according to an Arab League defence agreement to assist any Arab state under attack. Jane’s was told that the Egyptian third army based near the Suez Canal was placed lately on alert for a possible canal crossing to the Sinai Peninsula if Israel seizes the West Bank and Gaza. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
