Hi all

I was just thinking what would happen if Egypt were to suddenly attack Israel or vice versa-seeing that they have fairly modern equipment and tactics (US instructors), would the outcome be any different than in the past.

Thanks for your opinion

israel wouldnt attack egypt, unless it would be percieved as agressor (like in 6 day war, where egypt, jordan and syria kicked out u.n. and declared they would destroy israel, israel then premptively attacked)

m1a1 might be a great tank, but the egyptians would get hammered by israel, whether it be merkavas or sabras etc... the fact is that unless its a rocket which requires pressing a button only, egypt has no chance, their army is not top notch... and although israel would beat egypt again, the fact that america sold egypt m1a1's will only mean that israel will suffer more casualties...

You don't seem to place any importance in new tactics, doctrine and the fact that they outnumber you...and it's not only the m1 here in question, there's a bunch of other equipment from the west too.

I'd say your underestimating the opponent by just a little, wouldn't you?

Egypt: 320,000 soldiers, 755 tanks

Israel: 104,000 soldiers, 300,000 more reserves, 1200 tanks, better airforce.

Israel might take heavy losses in the initial contact with Egypt's defense line. It would then smash through and it's all over, Israel would push the Egyptians back just like in the 6 day war.

Indeed heavy losses is my opinion also.
But the logical next question would be how much losses in a war of attrition (sp?) can they take-in both manpower and equipment.

Here's something for comparison
EGYPT
Military manpower—availability:
males age 15-49: 17,756,706 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 11,507,058 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually:
males: 694,468 (1999 est.)

ISRAEL
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,522,003
females age 15-49: 1,482,027 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,245,757
females age 15-49: 1,208,973 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 49,206
females: 53,379 (2001 est.)

Do you see the big gap in the last category (reaching military age annually)-690.000:50.000
Besides Egypt has some(~1000) M60 tanks around too, they'd be good for bait, apaches, patriot (not sure).
Agreed Israel has similar stuff too, but it's a different ball game now than in the 6 day war (at least on paper)

I'd be worried...

Im afraid ill have to lock it now. We dont allow country vs. country discussions, although this is an intresting one....

Important, please read:

As an expriment, and with aproval from the admin, I am going to unlock this topic. I want to make sure we are clear about being respectful and on-topic. I will supervise this one closely and make sure it is civilized and rational.

Amit.

I don't there will be a possible confrontation between Egypt and Israel at all. 100% positively sure. There is no need for further violence in the middle east. No more and enough.

someone at Tel Aviv University seems to think Egypt is of little threat to Israel

Oct. 12, 2004
MORNING REPORT
Vol. 6 No. 378

Egypt's Military Poses Little Threat to Israel

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Egypt's military has failed to exploit its Western
platforms, technology and combat doctrine and poses virtually no threat to Israel, a new study said.

The study by Tel Aviv University's Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies
asserted that Egypt's military continues to operate under the same Soviet
combat and training doctrine as that during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Egypt fought the 1973 war with Soviet advisers and weapons. "It [Egypt] is an army that has changed its characteristics, from Eastern to Western platforms," Shlomo Brom, a senior researcher at the
center, said. "But when you see how the army operates, there has been no change."

Egypt, with a force of 450,000 soldiers, about 75 percent of whom
comprise the ground forces, has largely replaced its Soviet arsenal with
U.S. platforms and weapons. Egypt has an air force fleet of about 220 F-16s, 800 M1A1 main battle tanks, Apache attack helicopters and Hawk anti-aircraft batteries -- all procured since 1980.

But the report said Egypt, which receives $1.3 billion in annual U.S.
military aid, has failed to implement the Revolution in
Military Affairs [RMA], meant to exploit the Western superiority in
precision-guided weapons, intelligence and command and control. As a result, Egypt -- despite obtaining many of the same platforms acquired by Israel --has been unable to optimize its battlefield force...

READ MORE

"A little threat"? Makes no sense.