The nomination of the 202nd Airborne Brigade of the assembly area at the Egyptian border. Farewell brigade commander Ariel Sharon (waving) and zamkombriga Yitzhak Hofi
Politics of global confrontation between the two superpowers - the USSR and the USA, dictated by the spirit of the "Cold War", spread to the Middle East and the African continent in the mid-50's - early 60-ies of the XX century. Maneuvering up to a point, separates them from direct confrontation, both sides have relied to strengthen its influence in the region by increasing loyal to him Allies. Aspiration interests of the Soviet Union in the Middle East a number of reasons: Priorities for the consolidation of the positions of the USSR in Eastern Europe after the Second World War, as well as the remoteness of the region from the territory of our country and the lack of opportunities to deploy them near large groups of Soviet forces, including naval groups.
However, the most careful attention to the management of the USSR was paid to the Middle East after the deployment in the region, the national liberation struggle. 18 June 1953 , Egypt was declared a republic. Prime Minister, and with 1955 year - President A. Nasser headed for liberation from foreign economic dependence, the withdrawal from the territory of the British troops and the construction of the national armed forces. Nasser initially asked for military-technical assistance from the US. Having been refused, he switched to the Soviet Union.
At a military parade in October 1955 , the Egyptian president said, that "the Czechoslovak government has expressed its willingness to supply us with weapons within our needs". In Egypt the beginning of delivery of weapons of Soviet manufacture, Czechoslovakia and acted as a transshipment base. By the end of 1955 , the Egyptian Armed Forces have received 230 tanks, 200 armored vehicles, 100 self-propelled guns, 500 trunks towed artillery, 200 fighter aircraft, bomber, military transport aircraft, warships, boats, submarines, weapon, ammunition and other property. To train the Egyptian military, by order of the government of the country in the autumn 1955 year in the capital of Egypt - Cairo - the first group of military specialists.
When in June 1956 year President Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal, such a solution does not remain without consequences. Israeli armed forces invaded the Sinai Peninsula. Literally every other day Anglo-French aircraft began to bomb the Suez Canal area, the capital of Egypt, and a number of other cities. At that time, the Egyptian air force had only one combat-ready air squadron. In spite of this Air Force pilots Egypt and the Soviet military instructors, pilots have had a decent resistance to the enemy airplanes. So, morning 30 October, they were able to MiG-15bis to intercept the four British reconnaissance planes and shoot down one of them. The next day, our pilots have already stormed the Israeli ground troops in the Sinai Peninsula. A little later, in early November transference of the Soviet Union, a group of fighter-interceptor MiG-17 entered into a dogfight. They managed to destroy several British planes. But forces were unequal, and the coalition of the enemy managed to win air superiority. should say, Egyptian Air Force at the beginning of the war on the ground have lost a large number of aircraft. And that is why the country's leadership has decided to disperse the remaining planes. Some of them with the help of our pilots was relocated to the territory of Saudi Arabia, and the other part - to the south of Egypt.
Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli sign documents on the establishment of the United Arab Republic
It should be emphasized, that during the conduct of hostilities in the Suez Canal area Soviet Union had no casualties among military advisors and specialists. Cooperation with Egypt after reflection on the part of the coalition of aggression was further strengthened and acquired larger scale. The Soviet Union agrees to supply weapons and military equipment to Egypt 1958 year. USSR provides for the amount of the loan to Egypt 700 million. rubles to pay for the supply of our country on the basis of 2% per annum and mature within 5 years, beginning with 1967 of the year.
In February 1958 , Egypt and Syria formed the United Arab Republic (deed). Syrian armed forces have transformed the 1st Syrian army. This event led to the expansion of Soviet military aid. So, for 1958-1959 years, the United Arab Republic from the USSR was delivered: T-54 - 150, combat aircraft - 59, cars - 1500, as well as a significant number of armored personnel carriers, artillery, air defense systems, warships, boats, submarines, ammunition and other "special equipment". As for our military advisors and specialists, their number also increased significantly.
On the eve of the Israeli aggression 1967 the USSR sent to the shores of Egypt's operational squadron of the Navy's Black Sea Fleet: cruiser - 1, destroyer - 9, submarines - 3. During the war, she was joined by a group of ships and submarines of the Northern Fleet. The squadron has increased to 40 combat units, including 10 submarines. Operational squadron of the USSR opposed ships of the 6th Fleet of the United States of America - two aircraft carriers, two cruisers, four frigates, 10 destroyers, several submarines. For the time of Soviet warships in a state of full combat readiness to 1 by 31 June while on duty were killed 4 seaman. In subsequent years, the loss amounted to more 11 human.
14 June 1967 years in Egypt came a squadron of bombers Tu-16. Following her down the airlift began to bring other military equipment, weapons and ammunition. Only in October it was delivered to Egypt: MiG-21 fighter jets - 100, MiG-19 - 50, Su-7 - 60, Il-28 bombers - 20. US sources claimed, that in the beginning 1970 year profit in Egypt 1,5 thousand. Soviet troops with air defense systems and 150-200 fighter pilots.
30 June 1970 SAM, the division under the command of Captain in. Malyauki brought down Israel's first "Phantom", for which he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Red Banner. A few days later gunners division C Major. Zavesnitskogo managed to shoot down two "Phantom" and thereby dispel the myth of the invincibility of the newest American aircraft. Israel decided to destroy the Soviet air defense missile group. The airstrike took part 24 "Phantom". In this raid killed several Soviet soldiers. All of them posthumously were awarded with the Order of the Red Star.
Dozens of Soviet generals, officers, sergeants, soldiers carried the risk of problems for life in difficult climatic conditions. In Egypt, Syria and Lebanon were killed and died 28 officers, 5 sergeants and 18 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the USSR. Service warriors-internationalists in the hot spots of the Soviet Union marked by state awards, Egypt and Syria.Gabriel Tsobehiya
