According to a tweet from Mahmoud Gamal, Egypt will receive Su-35 fighter jets. 12 Su-35s are currently in Russia, being prepared for delivery to Egypt soon, while five Su-35s were already delivered last year to the Egyptian Air Force. Russia is also expected to manufacture up to 10 Su-35s for Egypt this year.

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Russian Su-35. Egypt will receive Su-35 fighter jets. (Picture source: Rosoboronexport)

Last February, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in a phone call. Among other things, he told the minister that the U.S. is looking closely at Egyptian plans to buy Su-35s for around $2 billion. Nearly two years ago, the U.S. threatened sanctions under CAATSA if it purchases the jets. Despite the American opposition of the deal, Cairo has agreed with Russia to get 26 Sukhoi-35 fighter jets over several batches.

The Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defense fighter. They are twin-engine aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant. The type was originally developed by the Soviet Union from the Su-27 and was known as the Su-27M. It incorporated canards and a multi-function radar giving it multi-role capabilities. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Sukhoi re-designated it as the Su-35 to attract export orders. Fourteen aircraft were produced and used for tests and demonstrations; one example had thrust-vectoring engines and was, in turn, redesignated the Su-37. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that resembled the Su-30MK family.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. Also known as the Su-35, this version has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the canards. The type made its first flight in February 2008. Although it was designed for export, the Russian Air Force became the launch customer in 2009, with the production version designated Su-35S.