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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 19 - 25 October 2000 Issue No. 504 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 19 - 25 October 2000 Issue No. 504
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Elections Palestine International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Travel Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Looping the loop
By Amira Ibrahim
In spite of legislation, the practice of employing children has continued. To increase awareness of the importance of applying the law and its impact on Egyptian exports, the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) recently held a seminar on this issue. Twenty-seven years ago, in the course of the 1973 War, 200 Egyptian and Israeli warplanes battled over the Nile Delta town of Mansoura. The episode lasted a record 53 minutes. Despite its objective to destroy the squadron stationed there, Israel lost 18 planes and the other attacking aircraft dropped their bombs into the sea and fled.
The nation marked the anniversary of this battle on Air Force Day last Saturday, 14 October. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shafik, one of the many Egyptian pilots who valiantly fought over Mansoura, is now air force commander.
Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, Shafik recalled the trying times the air force underwent between 1967 and 1973, but affirmed that it ultimately emerged "tough and solid."
Despite its losses in the 1967 war, in which the major part of the air force was obliterated on the ground, some squadrons of jet fighters took off and downed several Israeli warplanes. Shafik added, "On 14 July 1967, our pilots staged a heroic strike against Israeli positions along the eastern bank of the Suez Canal, forcing Israeli troops to withdraw temporarily from the Sinai mountain passes."
"The experience gained in the War of Attrition [1968-69] was invaluable in building a new and much stronger air force capable of surmounting the defeat and leading the armed forces to victory," said Shafik.
He praised the air strike that signalled the start of the 1973 war. "At 2pm on 6 October 1973, more than 220 warplanes, taking off from various air bases throughout the country, crossed the Suez Canal and successfully destroyed 95 per cent of Israeli command centres in the Sinai desert," he said. "The strike made it possible for ground troops to cross to the Canal's eastern bank, where they established beachheads with minimum losses."
Upgrading the air force's combat capability began immediately after the 1967 defeat. New Soviet-manufactured warplanes, including MIG21 jet fighters, Su-7 fighter-bombers and Tu-16 heavy bombers, were acquired.
Following the 1973 war, the sources of armament were diversified and weapons were purchased from both East and West. The new acquisitions of the air force included British Commando and Sea-King helicopters, French Mirage-5 and Mirage-2000 warplanes, French Gazelle helicopters, American F-4 and F-16 jet fighters and Chinese F-6 and F-7 fighters.
"The type of warplanes we purchase is determined by our needs," said Shafik. "It does not make sense to buy a certain number of each and every type that is produced. The MIG21, for example, can achieve in some missions what the F-16 or the Mirage-2000 will do."
The Soviet-manufactured warplanes have been well maintained and are still operational in the air force, he said.
Shafik disclosed that China is assisting Egypt in the manufacture of an advanced training jet.
"We have had a long experience with the assembly process," he said. "But the manufacturing process is too complicated to be carried out by one company or one government. Cooperation between countries is a must."
Shafik expressed hope that a project for the production of a super-sonic jet fighter, which was dropped as a result of Egypt's involvement in the Middle East wars, may be revived.
Asked about claims that the air forces of some neighbouring countries are superior, Shafik expressed confidence in the Egyptian air force, asserting that it had advanced greatly and is capable of carrying out any mission any place.
"The performance of a plane is not the only factor contributing to the strength of an air force," he said. "There are other factors such as the training of pilots and technicians, the logistics, the timing and the capability of the commander to manoeuvre his planes."
At a press conference, Shafik proudly confirmed that Egyptian pilots and technicians are provided with advanced training in the latest aviation technology and sciences.
