News Analysis: Mistrals contract adds to Cairo-Paris rapprochement

Egypt has signed a deal with France to buy two Mistral warships, a move signaling growing military cooperation that will deepen the mutual ties amid common security concerns.

"The cooperation, especially at the military level, has a very positive impact on the two countries, which share the same fears over stability and security of Mediterranean countries and the Middle East," said Noha Bakir, professor of international relations at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

"Closer ties are important for the two parties, and growing rapprochement is seen, the military in particular."

With the situation in the Middle East, the migrant crisis and the spread of the Islamist extremism, France is concerned over its security, Bakir told Xinhua.

France needs a "strong and stable Egypt," in the face of the Islamic State (IS) threats in Syria, and their Mediterranean partner in Libya, Bakir added.

Also France fears the return of some foreigners who have joined the IS for carrying out revenge operations in Europe, the expert added.

Additionally, France appreciates Egypt's efforts in combating terrorism with its well trained and equipped army that lacks any divisions, Bakir said.

Egypt has been suffering an anti-terrorism war since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by then military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in response to mass protests against his rule.

France recognizes that "Cairo has an essential role in the fight against extremism in the Middle East, particularly against the IS, whose local branch has staged many anti-security deadly attacks after Morsi was toppled," Samir Ghatas, chairman of the Middle East Forum for Strategic and Security Studies said.

Egypt faces security threats which require diversifying the army resources and improving the army preparations, Ghatas told Xinhua.

There are challenges on the border with Libya and Sudan. Also preserving the security of Bab al-Mandab strait threatened by the tensions in Yemen is essential for the security of the Suez Canal, in addition to the necessity to secure the new gas discoveries on the Mediterranean Sea.

For Ghatas, Egypt should be ready also for entering any war in support of its "Gulf allies, which constitute the defense line for Egypt."

The Mistral is the second military deal between the two countries. In February, Egypt has signed a 5.2-billion-euro deal for 24 Rafal jets and a frigate.

The Mistrals will be delivered in early March, and the contract provides four-month training in France for the Egyptian crews.

Echoing Ghatas, Talaat Musalam, a military expert, said "for supporting the Gulf countries and to protect its Suez Canal, Egypt may need to fight in Yemen."

"The Mistral is essential in carrying weapons, helicopters, soldiers for long distance with high speed," Musalam told Xinhua.

Over the past 30 years, Egypt has been a defensive country since its victory over its enemy Israel.

But now, the regional threats are everywhere. Egypt is surrounded by failed countries like Libya, Sudan and Yemen which are "fertile soil for terrorism," Musalam explained.

"The arm deals are based on the needs and the threats," the military expert added.

The aim of buying the two Mistral warships is to diversify "the arms resources" and to provide the army with highly effective and strong weapons and equipments, he added.

"That deal is an addition and important quantum leap, in the Egyptian military weaponry."

The objectives of the deal are to achieve the military distinction, superiority, and help the army perform its battling missions outside the border with proficiency, Musalam explained.

Mistral is one of the most important helicopter carriers in the world and it is used for overseas wars, because it could transfer the soldiers and helicopters for the battle field outside the country's border.

It carries 22,000 tons of displacements with 199-meter-length, 32-meter-width. It has air defense missile system, and can transfer from 20 to 40 helicopters with three radars, with a fully equipped hospital.

According to Saeed al-Lawendy, international relations expert at Cairo University, the recurrent visits of the two sides strengthen the mutual ties at different levels.

"France seeks to build a bridge of trust with Egypt to deepen its role in the Middle East region."

With its balanced policies, France has sought cooperation with Egypt for desiring pivotal role in the Middle East, Lawendy told Xinhua. Endit