The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is always ready to protect Egypt’s wealth and safeguard the gains of the Egyptian people, Commander of the EAF Mohamed Abbas Helmi said Wednesday.
Helmi made the remarks during a press conference to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the creation of the Egyptian Air Force.
The Egyptian Air Force Day marks the anniversary of Mansoura Battle that took place on October 14, 1973 during the 6th of October War with Israel.
The battle involved 60 Egyptian fighter jets and 120 Israeli fighter jets and was the outcome of the fourth raid launched by Israel on Egyptian territories other than Sinai.
The previous three were carried out against Mansoura, Tanta, and Salheya on October 7, 9, 12 of 1973 without causing any damage on the Egyptian side. On the other hand, the first raid led to the destruction of 22 Israeli fighter jets.
Responding to a question about the considerations upon which EAF upgrade plans are based, Helmi said that the upgrading process requires long-term planning as it should be influenced by a wide range of factors and considerations, such as regional and international developments, how they affect Egyptian and Arab national security, as well as the nature and magnitude of hostilities, threats, and future missions.
The first Egyptian planes arrived in 1932 when the first five aircrafts Egypt had bought in September 1931 took off from Hatfield airfield north of London to make their journey to their new home in Egypt. They formed the first nucleus of the first Egyptian Arabic and Muslim state Air forces in history.
On November 2, 1930 the historic Royal decree was issued by King Fouad I to create the Egyptian Air forces. Its name then was the Egyptian Army air forces “EAAF”.
In September 1931 the British De Havilland aircraft company won a contract to supply Egypt with 10 DH-60 tiger moth trainers.
