Satellite Photos Confirm Existence of Scud Base Near Cairo
In Israel, the discussion concerning Egypt’s missile capabilities is silenced
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 19/06/2023
Photo source: IISS report
Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979, but continues to intensify its military capabilities nonetheless. Along with procuring ships, submarines, and combat vehicles, Egypt is also in possession of long-range missiles. It was the first to launch Scud missiles at Israel during the Yom Kippur War of 1973 – a move that had more of an effect on morale than on the actual battlefront, but still.
Egypt has also sold Scud missiles to North Korea, in a move that founded the latter’s thriving missile industry. On its part, North Korea sold missiles - or missile knowledge – to Iran, and therefore one can say that Egypt bears indirect responsibility for the Iranian threat currently facing Israel.
Israel has been deliberately silencing discussion concerning Egypt’s missile capabilities, given that it is considered a peaceful country that, for the most part, has been collaborating well with Israel. The government has no interest in presenting Cairo as a potential enemy. Plus, the necessary defense budget isn’t there.
However, outside of Israel, the question of where Egypt has been hiding its missiles is asked. A recent IISS report claims that satellite photos that were taken in July 2022 and April 2023 reveal an Egyptian Scud missile base, just about 12 km southeast of the center of Cairo.
“While Egypt’s ballistic-missile force remains secretive, recent satellite imagery shows that, despite its age, the country’s R-300 Elbrus (RS-SS-1C Scud B) short-range system is still operational. Analysis of commercial satellite imagery from April 2023 shows what is almost certainly a Scud base on the edge of Cairo,” said the report.
Egypt’s missile buildup should come as no surprise. I had already written about this topic in 2015, based on open sources. It is probable that thanks to secret intelligence data, Israel knows exactly what Egypt has, and where she keeps it.
One of the most important questions, which remains open-ended also in the IISS report, is whether Egypt has purchased Nodong missiles from North Korea. These missiles have a radius of up to 1250 km – reaching anywhere in Israel.
How many Scud missiles does Egypt have in its possession? The CIA once estimated the number in dozens. However, the current arsenal, its size, and quality, remain unknown to the general public.
Here’s to hoping that at least the defense establishment has the answers.
In Israel, the discussion concerning Egypt’s missile capabilities is silenced
Photo source: IISS report
Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979, but continues to intensify its military capabilities nonetheless. Along with procuring ships, submarines, and combat vehicles, Egypt is also in possession of long-range missiles. It was the first to launch Scud missiles at Israel during the Yom Kippur War of 1973 – a move that had more of an effect on morale than on the actual battlefront, but still.
Egypt has also sold Scud missiles to North Korea, in a move that founded the latter’s thriving missile industry. On its part, North Korea sold missiles - or missile knowledge – to Iran, and therefore one can say that Egypt bears indirect responsibility for the Iranian threat currently facing Israel.
Israel has been deliberately silencing discussion concerning Egypt’s missile capabilities, given that it is considered a peaceful country that, for the most part, has been collaborating well with Israel. The government has no interest in presenting Cairo as a potential enemy. Plus, the necessary defense budget isn’t there.
However, outside of Israel, the question of where Egypt has been hiding its missiles is asked. A recent IISS report claims that satellite photos that were taken in July 2022 and April 2023 reveal an Egyptian Scud missile base, just about 12 km southeast of the center of Cairo.
“While Egypt’s ballistic-missile force remains secretive, recent satellite imagery shows that, despite its age, the country’s R-300 Elbrus (RS-SS-1C Scud B) short-range system is still operational. Analysis of commercial satellite imagery from April 2023 shows what is almost certainly a Scud base on the edge of Cairo,” said the report.
Egypt’s missile buildup should come as no surprise. I had already written about this topic in 2015, based on open sources. It is probable that thanks to secret intelligence data, Israel knows exactly what Egypt has, and where she keeps it.
One of the most important questions, which remains open-ended also in the IISS report, is whether Egypt has purchased Nodong missiles from North Korea. These missiles have a radius of up to 1250 km – reaching anywhere in Israel.
How many Scud missiles does Egypt have in its possession? The CIA once estimated the number in dozens. However, the current arsenal, its size, and quality, remain unknown to the general public.
Here’s to hoping that at least the defense establishment has the answers.
