WASHINGTON / CAIRO / ISLAMABAD – July 28, 2025
In a significant move reflecting shifting regional dynamics, the United States has approved the sale of NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense systems to Egypt under a $4.67 billion deal. The sale, cleared through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, includes a full spectrum of launchers, radar systems, fire control units, and hundreds of advanced U.S. missiles.
But beyond bolstering Egypt’s air defenses, the deal may also open indirect pathways for strategic partners like Pakistan to engage with similar Western technology—especially amid growing calls in Washington to recalibrate U.S. defense outreach in South Asia.
Approved by the U.S. Department of State, the arms package includes:
100 AMRAAM-ER missiles
100 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs
150 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles
12 Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 radars
Command-and-control units, training support, spare parts, and integration services
The primary contractor is RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies).
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While Pakistan is not a direct participant in this transaction, the scale and structure of the deal have strategic spillover implications:
Regional Precedent: Egypt’s purchase sets a precedent for trusted Muslim-majority states acquiring high-end U.S. air defense systems. As a major non-NATO ally and a partner in counterterrorism, Pakistan could use this as diplomatic leverage to push for access to advanced U.S. defense technologies, including select versions of NASAMS, AMRAAM, or upgraded Sidewinders.
Potential Air Defense Integration: Pakistani military experts argue that incorporating systems like NASAMS could fill key medium-range interception gaps in Pakistan’s layered defense network, complementing indigenous systems like HQ-9P, LY-80, and the forthcoming Pakistan-Türkiye air defense collaboration.
Backchannel Lobbying: Diplomats believe this deal may pave the way for quiet negotiations between Islamabad and Washington. “If Egypt can be trusted with such capability, Pakistan—an equally important U.S. ally in different theatres—shouldn’t be ignored,” said a former Pakistani defense attaché in Washington.
Egypt’s move signals deeper U.S. integration, but also raises pressure on neighboring countries to modernize their defense postures.
Pakistan is likely to lobby for conditional access or joint training on similar systems through diplomatic or multinational defense frameworks.
The U.S. may see strategic value in re-engaging Pakistan as India deepens ties with Russia and Israel.