Egypt displays Kh-35UE cruise missile
A still from the video released on 14 October shows an Egyptian MiG-29M2 carrying a Kh-35UE. (Egyptian Ministry of Defence)
The Egyptian Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed it has the Russian Kh-35UE air-launched cruise missile when it released a video on 14 October showing a MiG-29M2 multirole fighter carrying one.
The MoD previously released a video in October 2022 showing a MiG-29M2 releasing what appeared to be a Kh-35, but the missile was clearer in the new video, confirming it is the newer Kh-35U as it has a shorter air intake. It can be assumed that Egypt has the Kh-35UE export version.
The Kh-35 was originally developed as a relatively compact subsonic anti-ship missile that could be launched from aircraft, smaller naval vessels, and the Bal coastal defence system.
The Kh-35UE was unveiled in 2009, when it was said to have a new engine that increased its range to 260 km and a guidance system with a new satellite navigation capability and an improved active radar seeker for the terminal phase.
A second video released by the MoD on 14 October to mark the air force's anniversary included footage showing one of its Dassault Rafale multirole fighters fitted with a SCALP EG cruise missile at a location that could be identified as Gebel el-Basur Air Base.
A SCALP EG was previously seen in a video released by the MoD in February 2021 to show a joint air exercise with France, but the missile was not fitted to an aircraft.
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