Egyptian and US officials confirmed ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, stressing that they are “as strong as ever,” according to an Egyptian statement. The statement came following the meeting between the Egyptian Minister of State for Military Production, Major General Mohamed Ahmed Morsi, and the military attaché at the US embassy in Cairo, General Ralph Groover. The two discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation and the possibility of exchanging expertise and manufacturing technologies in various industrial fields. The two officials also addressed the permanent development in various training, manufacturing, and research facilities of the ministry, and means to benefit from the US expertise. Morsi pointed out the importance of strengthening cooperation between military production companies and US companies in various fields, explaining Egypts keenness to consolidate and deepen the strategic industrial partnership with the US. The Minister described it as an important pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Middle East. Grover affirmed that the US-Egyptian military cooperation is distinguished by its great history and is “as strong as ever.” The attaché also expressed his aspiration to mutual work to meet the challenges facing not only the two countries but also the countries of the region. The US provides Egypt with annual aid estimated at $1.55 billion, of which $1.3 billion is allocated for military aid in the form of equipment, tools, maintenance services, and training. The aid was first sent in 1979 after the ratification of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, which required congressional approval for such aid to Cairo. Meanwhile, Russian media outlets reported that the first batch of the Su-35 fighter jets are en route to Egypt as part of a 2018 deal, which was not officially confirmed by Cairo or Moscow. Last November, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs, R. Clark Cooper, announced that Egypts purchase of Russian aircraft exposes it to the risk of US sanctions, as well as threatens its future purchases of US equipment. Egyptian parliamentarians described Coopers statements as “unacceptable interference in the state’s sovereignty.” The US objected to the Russian deal and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper warned Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi of possible sanctions over Cairo’s purchase of Russian warplanes.