Especially when they developed their entire domestic digital link system in the RISC2 from the tech-friendly hardware & software that is in the Rafale's RBE2 AESA radar. That alone tells you the core essence of the entire fleet is and will be the Rafale. And of course, increasing the numbers of that aircraft to 54 (which is not cheap at all) as well as making the statement that they will be aiming to complete a total number of at least 72 to possibly 100. They're obviously very happy with that aircraft and it's huge potential for upgrades as time goes by.
In light of all of that, it's also indicative that they must have some type of reassurances that the weapons you mentioned, particularly the Meteor (and SmartGlider) but also the MICA NG will be supplied and not threatened to be kept off the list. It wouldn't make much sense that they would be willing to devote so much of the EAF's centralization around the Rafale without those reassurances, I would think.
After Qader 21 and the revelation that a certain amount of the current land attack version of the EAF's Ka-52s have been modified with folding rotors to be stowed away inside the Mistral's chambers. That tells us that perhaps the tender that was signed for the 36 Ka-52K Katrans has been either put on hold or kiobashed completely. It also might be indicative of the US making a deal with Egypt that they won't impose CAATSA on the Su-35SE purchase, so long as there aren't any more Russian purchases along with withdrawals of support for the GERD and any possible military action that the US would come out and be on Egypt's side. This is all conjecture on my part, but it's quite plausible watching all these things develop right in front of our eyes, the rotors on the Ka-52's being a small link to the entire, larger picture.
But...........
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............That also begs the question as to whether the EAF and the Armed Forces generals and President Sisi of course would agree to this deal in the first place or not. It's quite possible that the president, after meeting with all his top generals and COS and advisors have decided not to play into the hands of the Americans and this deal since that basically ends the entire wish that Egypt has earned with this incredible modernization, and that is the ability to purchase whatever it needs from whomever it needs to. And if there are consequences in the form of sanctions at the level of CAATSA, so be it. This should be and hopefully IS the route Sisi & Co. decide to take. They've come a long way to suddenly give in to pressure that will knock them back to almost where they were before, without the freedom of purchase and we can't see that happen.
It will also deal a huge blow to all the great & massive potential of superb Russian military equipment and munitions. If the order for the Su-35SEs were 30, they will undoubtedly want to raise that number to at least 50 - 60 or more. That also comes with the absolute need to be able to purchase A LOT of munitions to go with those jets. From all the A2A gems they fire to the new subsonic AWACs killers and equal to the Meteor missile to all the terrific and deadly Russian built munitions. It also prevent the Army from wanting to upgrade their tanks since it seems the T-90MS contract has hit a bit of a grinding halt, there. Probably due to the same reasons.
We'll have to keep an eye out for such developments in the near future and then we'll know the start of all of this was the modification of the folding rotors on the Kamov, Ka-52 Nile Crocodile to fit in the guts of the Mistral, and that led to the unfortunate halt of any and all further Russian procurement and a super sad time for a grind in what we have come accustomed to know as the great Egyptian military modernization of its lifetime.
Your second guess has more sense to it bro.. These folding rotors are a temporary practical solution like the land air defense on the mistrals.. You know well that the Katran Ka-52K is also capable of launching Kh-31 and Kh-35 air-to-surface missiles among many other special features,, like
being specially equipped to conduct attack missions against targets at sea and on the ground which requires different sensors and armaments than those used on the basic Ka-52 helicopter... it is like having flying missile boats or corvettes adding much needed power to the naval forces in a conflict..Now the Russian have been testing an AESA radar that can fit both variants on a new version called the K-52M..I'd rather conclude that the Katran is a done deal..unless all these modifications and capabilities have been implemented on the Nile Crocodiles since it is a special edition.. and even if the US have anything to replace it .. it would not be provided to Egypt.. because of Usrael.. as we all know well..
KH-31
KH-35
Dealing with the Russians is easier than dealing with the Americans for the Egyptians... The Russians do not want human rights or pressure to impose views... But they always want a piece of the cake.
In front of the cameras, the search for diplomacy, solutions and so on, and Lavrov more than once stated that the solution is within the African Union, and this is the direction of Russian diplomacy.
Behind the cameras, Su-35S, Mig-29M-35 with BVR missiles, Molina missile boat free and open Radar requests and fullfilment, S-300 V4 - Kamov K-52 SE at an excellent price- Satellite assistance until 2018 in monitoring the dam, moment by moment ..Good intelligence support in the file of terrorists coming from Syria.. as well as Building a nuclear power plant with a long-term loan...
The Egyptian-Russian differences are few, the most important of which is the Libya file, and Egypt’s disdain for the Russians in Sudan, Libya and its surroundings in general, but there is consensus, for example, in the Syrian file and most of the region’s files...So a good friend in general is always a sincere one and most importantly with good vibes and intentions..
Of course, there might be some Russian resentment of the Egyptians' move to disrupt the intended Russian base in Sudan, but it is normal. It is not the first or last time that Egypt rejected the presence of foreign bases in the surrounding countries.
The Russians, eventhough they do not give full support to Egypt about the GERD, They have returned to allowing the tourist trips... It is a country that does not want to lose you as a partner and ally, but it has its own agenda, of course!
The US is also a good friend but too greedy and has priorities and agendas in the region that are not always in the best interest of Egypt.. as well as unpredictable intentions ..
So..Calmly, rationally and away from slogans about the GERD:
The events are going nicely as Egypt has internationalized the issue and threats etc... At the same time, the Aswan Dam is full to the brim, and Lake Nasser contains at least 150 billion cubic meters of water! All canals were lined to reduce waste and new desalination plants were build... The performance is excellent so far, be it civilian or military, and all possibilities have been arranged in an excellent manner so far.. Indeed, Egypt even attracted Sudan, which saw that the Renaissance Dam was in his favor., But today, we see Sudan with Egypt in the same camp.
it is excellent work indeed... It only needs to reach a solution in which the Big nations of the UNSC guarantee the filling steps so that they do not affect the Egyptian water stockpile in Lake Nasser, as well as making an agreement to ensure that no new dam is built without the approval of the Egyptian-Sudanese stakeholders.. otherwise things will most likely take another well known course..
Today" Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told the international community that “if Ethiopia insists on its position and rejects all solutions, we have no choice but to defend the right of the Egyptian people to exist.”
He added that Egypt faces an existential threat because of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
“We are facing an existential threat by building the Renaissance Dam, and with the laying of every stone, it narrows the lifeline to millions of innocent people,” Shoukry said.
He added: "We call on the Council to work to address this issue from the perspective that is
preventive diplomacy to support the peaceful resolution of disputes, as this is the Council's responsibility, and we are confident that it will assume its responsibility."
