Pentagon announces possible weapons sales to Egypt, Israel

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon announced yesterday the possible sale of M1 Abrams tank kits to Egypt and missiles and fuel to Israel.

The sale of kits to equip 125 M1A1 battle tanks co-produced by Egypt was valued at 847 million dollars if all options are exercised.

The proposed sales to Israel consist of 30 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 500 AIM-9M Sidewinder air to air missiles, and 200 AMRAAM medium range air to air missiles, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The Israeli sales were valued at as high as 334 million dollars if all options are exercised, the agency said.

The agency also notified Congress of a possible sale to Israel of 308 million dollars worth of JP-8 aviation fuel for its aircraft and diesel fuel for its ground forces.

The US Congress has 30 days to act to prevent the sales.