CAIRO, Egypt, November 9, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
Following a November 9 meeting in Cairo with Minister of Defense Lt. General Sedky Sobhi and Chief of the Navy, Rear Admiral Osama Rabie, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stated, “The United States Navy and I value our strong partnership with Egypt, and I hope to see our cooperation increase the future.” The Secretary added, “We are working closely with the Egyptian military to support its fight against terrorism, to make the region safe and stable, and to ensure the free flow of commerce. Participation in exercises between our forces, such as Exercise Bright Star, will strengthen our relationship and help build interoperability between our forces.”
The Secretary and the Minister also reviewed the delivery in June to the Egyptian Navy of two Fast Missile Craft warships, which joined two other Fast Missile Craft that had previously been delivered to Egypt. Representing a $1.1 billion investment by the United States in the bilateral strategic partnership, the four naval vessels help counter terrorism and protect global commerce.
The Fast Missile Craft is designed to counter Egypt’s current maritime surface threats and provide freedom of navigation. Bright Star is the name of a combined U.S.-Egypt military exercise that includes air, ground, naval and special operations forces. The U.S. Embassy’s Senior Defense Official Major General Charles Hooper attended today’s meeting between the Secretary and the Minster.
