Today, the first shipment of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles from the United States arrived in the port of Alexandria for delivery to the Egyptian military.  The heavily armored MRAP vehicles are specifically designed to protect soldiers from blasts from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), landmines, and from other types of attacks.  Today’s delivery is the first batch of a total of 762 MRAP vehicles that the United States is transferring to Egypt.  This new capability will be used to combat terrorism and promote stability in the region.

Originally designed to support United States military operations in Afghanistan, MRAPs provide enhanced levels of protection to soldiers, and are proven to save lives.  The U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official in Cairo, Major General Charles Hooper, stated, “The delivery of these MRAPs to Egypt provides a crucial capability needed during these times of regional instability and is part of the continuing strong relationship between the U.S. and Egypt.”

This delivery of MRAPs is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Excess Defense Articles grant program, in which the vehicles are transferred at no-cost to the Government of Egypt. This delivery is the most recent step taken by the U.S. government in support of Egypt’s fight against terrorism and is part of a broad range of military cooperation initiatives between the two countries.