Italy advances arms deals with Egypt despite opposition

As Egypt becomes one of the world's largest importers of arms, Italy is seeking to sign additional arms deals with the North African country despite sour bilateral relations in light of Egypt’s human rights record.
fremm frigate
Egypt has agreed to buy two FREMM multipurpose frigates from Italy. The frigates are designed by DCNS/Armaris and Fincantieri for the navies of France and Italy. Here, a frigate under construction at the shipyards of Naval Group (formerly DCNS) is seen March 29, 2018 in Lorient, western France. - LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images
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A correspondent in Egypt

It seems Italy has insisted on carrying on with arms deals with Egypt despite the tensions that have marked their bilateral relations following the 2016 death of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which monitors the world’s arms transfers, said March 15 that in 2020 Egypt had received 25 of 50 Aster-15 missiles ordered as part of an arms deal with Italy. 

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