Hollande to seal 1.1 bln USD arms deal with Egypt

French president Francois Hollande is visiting Egypt for two days, as part of his Middle East tour. While in Cairo, Hollande and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are expected to sign 19 agreements, including a 1.1 billion dollars Arms Deal.

French President Francois Hollande is visiting Egypt for two days, as part of his Middle East tour.

A grand Welcoming ceremony for Egypt's Strongest European ally. Francios Hollande comes with promises to increase investments and support Egypt's faltering economy.

Investments will include infrastructure, power and renewable energy. But military cooperation tops the agenda. 

"Egypt is renewing its armed forces, and it's diversifying the sources of its arms'" Talaat Musallam, former general Egyptian Armed Fordces said, "This was clear after 2013 in particular. And one of the main sources that Egypt relying on in this renovation process is France. That reflects very good ties with France, that are now stronger than during former president Mubarak."

France will build Egypt a military communication satellite, with an estimated cost of 600 million dollars.

Analysts say it gives expands Egypt military reach in the region.

"These deals enables Egypt to secure itself, not just over its territories," Talaat Musallam said, "That is evident in the long range of its air-force and also in its naval forces. despite their relative slow intervention, navy operations last longer in duration. The satellites provide the necessary information for the country and it improves Egypt's power in communication by more than double."

The 1.1 billion dollars deal also include two Gowind 2500 Combat ships.

During the visit both presidents and their military advisers will be discussing future arms deals, expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars.

With these new deals, Egypt gains significant strategic advantage that makes it capable of international defend security beyond borders. From the Bal Al Mandab straight in Yemen to long term operations in the Mediterranean sea. That makes Egypt's reach coastal cities in Libya where the ISIL resides, much easier.