Experts say massive Egyptian spending spree does not add up
Under pressure from the US government to stop buying Russian fighter jets, attacked by French President Emmanuel Macron over human rights abuses, accused by Italian prosecutors of covering up the murder of student Giulio Regeni, facing the possibility of conflict with Turkey for control over Libya’s Sirte and Jufra provinces and set against the harsh economic reality of the COVID-19 crisis, Egypt is pursuing an extraordinary military spending spree that has left defence analysts flummoxed.
Increased procurement co-operation between the North African country and Italy — worth a reported €9 billion to €10 billion ($10.1 billion to $11.3 billion)
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