"Military And Military Sub-Plane" author: Lu Zhi
The F15 is one of the main fighters of the United States and has created many brilliant records since its birth. Today, in addition to U.S. equipment, F15 has only been exported to three countries, namely Israel, the closest ally of the United States, Japan, the most important ally of the United States in Asia, and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. All three are used in large numbers, with the Israeli Air Force having 84 F15s of various types by 2022, and Japan having about 200 F15J and F15DJ fighters licensed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Saudi Arabia has the largest number, with as many as 211 F15CD and SA fighter jets. And recently, there is another country that is likely to be equipped with F15 fighters more than 40 years after the introduction of the F15, and this country is Egypt.
The aircraft currently used by Egypt's air force are from a wide range of sources, ranging from Soviet and Russian aircraft to British and Chinese aircraft, as well as French and Canadian aircraft. In terms of fighter jets, Egypt's main aircraft is the United States. According to current statistics, the Egyptian Air Force is equipped with about 50 MiG-29 fighters, as well as a certain number of Su-35 fighters. French aircraft had 40 Alpha Jet Trainer attack aircraft, as well as 75 Mirage 5 fighters and 19 Mirage 2000 fighters, in addition to the newly purchased 24 Rafale fighters, and 30 were further ordered. The largest number is the American fighter, with 218 F16 fighters. Judging from the size of the Egyptian Air Force's fleet and technical level, it is really a very powerful air force in the Middle East and Africa, and even in the world, it is very good.
▲ The strength and scale of the Egyptian Air Force are good
According to recent U.S. reports, the commander of U.S. Central Command believes they will supply Egypt with F15 fighter jets, and believes that the deal will be a very long and difficult process. Egypt signed a contract with Russia in 2018 to buy $2 billion su-35 fighter jets, bringing the total to 24. But the U.S. secretary of state warned Egypt not to buy Su-35 fighter jets, and if it insisted on buying, it would impose sanctions on Egypt in accordance with the regulations.
For the Su-35 fighter, the current sales prospects are not good. In addition to Russia's own Su-35 fighters, the only two countries equipped with Su-35 fighters are the mainland and Egypt. According to the news summarized by all aspects, there are actually more potential buyers of the Su-35, such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Algeria, Turkey and so on. Although these countries have shown great interest in the Su-35 fighter jet, they have not made up their minds to buy it for a long time, and there is a high probability that they will not buy it. In addition to these countries, there are many countries that have directly abandoned the Su-35 fighter jet. Brazil had abandoned the earliest Su-27M fighter, the first Su-35. The fighter purchase was later canceled, and after the bidding was restarted in 2007, the new Su-35 competed again, along with fighters such as the Typhoon Gust and the Gripen and Super Hornet. Compared to these aircraft, the Su-35 did not have a particularly obvious advantage, and eventually Brazil purchased the Gripen fighter.
▲ At present, the sales performance of the Su-35 is very poor, which is related to the suppression of the United States
In addition, South Korea also considered the Su-27M at the earliest, but later cancelled the purchase plan due to various problems and purchased the F15K in the United States. The most unfortunate thing is the Indonesian order, as early as 2014, Indonesia had considered equipping the Su-35 fighter to replace the F5 fighter. Indonesia is equipped with fighters such as the Su-27SK and Su-30, and is familiar with the use of Su-35 fighters. Later, Russia even agreed to exchange agricultural products for 11 Su-35 fighter jets. However, it was not long before Indonesia gave up the Su-35 fighter jet because of the pressure of the United States, and its arm could not break its thigh.
Judging by the sources of the Egyptian Air Force's fighter jets, it is clear that Egypt does not want its fighter jets to be constrained. But for the United States, controlling these countries to buy their own aircraft, and not Buying Russian aircraft, as much as possible, helps to fight Russia and maintain its position. This is why the commander of the US Central Command believes that getting Egypt to buy F15 fighters is a long and difficult process, in which the United States must use a lot of means to restrain Egypt's purchase of Su-35 fighters, and even with the threat of coercion to buy F15. The F15 of the Su-35 itself is similar in positioning, both are heavy twin-engine fighters, Egypt is not a real power, and it is undoubtedly foolish to equip two similar fighters at the same time.
After Egypt actually bought the F15 fighter jet, the happiest was of course the American company Boeing. Boeing has been worried about the sales prospects for its F18 as well as its F15 fighter jets. Before Germany bought the F35, Boeing even wanted Germany to buy its own Super Hornet to replace the Tornado fighter. In a variety of competitive situations, you can even see the two figures of F15 and F18, enjoying it, but basically ending in failure. Now the United States will buy the latest version of the F15 fighter, and if there are other countries that can buy the F15 fighter, it will surely benefit Boeing. This time, the United States and Boeing are undoubtedly pulling teeth out of the tiger's mouth and forcing Egypt to buy its own F15 fighter jets. In this way, the F15 combat opportunity will increase an overseas customer, and the export of Su-35 fighter jets will become worse and worse, and the big name of the United States, the number one arms dealer, is really not simple.