China and North Korea Working to Modernize Egypt's Missile Systems

Reports indicate that China and North Korea are helping Egypt “modernize [its] short-range missile systems.”

This work is being carried out by technicians from China’s Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation. They are in Egypt working with the North Koreans, as the North Koreans are working with Cairo.

The aim appears to be to take Egypt beyond a simplistic scud missile capability to a more advanced scud or a different missile altogether. 

This escalation in missile technology comes at time when the U.S. is scheduled to deliver 20 F-16 fighters to Cairo as a part of a $1.5 billion arms package approved with former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. 

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) has sent a letter to President Obama asking for a delay in delivery of the F-16s in order to give Congress time to further evaluate the conditions of the military sale, and of course, the posture of Cairo.

Inhofe wants to be sure the U.S. is not arming a country that is preparing to strike Israel.