I say whoaa.. By Sisi taking over, being a leader with vast military background, his administration put higher emphasis on regional ambitions and if this is true as written (my French doesn't suck
) it will not be limited with regional ambitions. If I were to consider it confirmed with Russia's approval. Some pros and cons rise up that may even relate with Leven-class LHD project. As a matter of fact naval procurements can oftenly be familiarized with the Butterfly Effect.
For Egypt:
- Buying two -not one- large hull amphibious assault ships for a Navy like Egypt's means you need to procure a batch of frigates with significant AAW capabilities which eventually points out foreign funding. Otherwise I doubt their budget would survive that. As you have stated before Saudi financing is likely to be going on under the table.
- Egyptian Navy currently lacks the logistical infrastructure and capability to support two 20,000 tonnes weight beauties that will be a logistical nightmare if you include the flotilla that is supposed to escort it. But this is not something that is related with naval power. Egypt has short coastline that is easy to defend. But it controls one of the most critical passage lines in the World if not the most critical one. Having heavily land orientated military. Egyptian Navy has relevantly a very large mine warfare fleet due to nature of controlling the Suez Canal and other factors.
- There are also other requirements. As far as I know, Egyptian Navy does not have a marine Force, but your Army must have a unit specialized on amphibious warfare and yet we are talking about accommodation of neary 1,500-1,900 strong marines.
- The main question for the Egypt-relevant part of the matter is that for what reason they need it? My best guess is something similar to MLF proposal by United States to NATO is bound to happen..but by some sort of an Arabic group maybe.
To Turkey:
- As long as AKP stays in power (including forming a coalition government) due to the political drift between the current governments of Turkey and Egypt, this transfer might lead to domestic political pressure to boost the construction of our very own LHD. But I believe this isn't likely to effect the project much since TCG Levent will await stationing of F-35B, more SH-60 Seahawks orders and the formal of a fully operational amphibious expeditionary force consisting of MBTs, AAVs, IFVs and more. Also for such a complex platform (TCG Levent) that has its own surgery clinic, two separate CICs,..etc. I think the acceptance into DZKK (TUR Navy) after trials may take a very long time.
@isoo is the man for that.
- I believe on a strategical picture there is nothing to worry about. But tactically, we better start doing doctrinal reforms and relevant procurements. Until the ship is commissioned I think the planned expeditionary force should be formed way before than 2020 to gain experience and interoperability. Unless there's a national development for AAVs, they must be inducted. The planned expansion of the Marine Brigade is bound to happen. But what what I am curious at most is that what will replace the old M60s in service of DZKK. As I said before, it'll either be M-60T Sabra or Leopard 2A4s which may eventually lead to NG upgrade by Aselsan.
These are all I can remember for now