The Biden administration notified Congress on Thursday that it has approved a potential $691 million sale of TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) anti-tank missiles to Egypt.
The sale, if it is finalized, would include 5,070 TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles, spare parts, tools, test equipment and training, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
“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 agency said in a statement.
The sale will help Egypt replenish its existing stockpiles and the TOW missiles will be used for counter-terrorism operations and border security operations, according to DSCA.
The state of Arizona-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense will be the sale’s primary contractor.
Designed by the Raytheon, the TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) missile systems are instrumental in engaging armored targets on the battlefield. All variants of the weapon can be fired from all TOW system launchers, including Stryker anti-tank guided missile vehicles.
Egypt Army will have no difficulty absorbing the TOW, as it already field around 12,000 units acquired in 3 batches between 1998-2012, which includes a $319 mil for 6,928 units in 2008.
The TOW anti-tank missile weapon system is in service with more than 40 armed forces worldwide, having being in service since 1970. The weapon system is used in anti-armour, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing roles.