The Strength and Limitations of the Egyptian Army

The Egyptian army, despite its relatively high ranking, faces significant challenges when compared to more advanced military forces such as those of the United States and European countries. This article explores the strengths and limitations of the Egyptian military, particularly in the context of the Yom Kippur War and the relative strength of conscription compared to voluntary service.

Strengths of the Egyptian Army

The Egyptian military, while strong in comparison to typical North African or Middle Eastern armies, is often described as "paper strong." This means that although its materiel base has improved dramatically, its effectiveness in actual combat is often hampered by subpar training and a lack of technical expertise. Despite these shortcomings, the Egyptian army remains formidable when pitted against less equipped and trained forces.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Egyptian government invited the Soviet Union to support them in the face of Israeli threats. However, the Soviet intervention proved unsuccessful, largely due to the poor training of the Egyptian forces. Consequently, the Soviet Air Force withdrew without redeployment, leading to significant losses for Egypt in subsequent conflicts.

Conscription vs. Voluntary Service

The U.S. military stands in stark contrast to the Egyptian army, as it relies heavily on a volunteer force that is rigorously trained and equipped. In the U.S., about 20% of military personnel are full-time warriors, making the military more effective in battle. Conscription, as practiced in the Egyptian army, often leads to a lower quality of service and fewer qualified individuals available for combat roles.

In Egypt, soldiers are conscripted for one to two years and often serve as support staff, such as tea makers and drivers, reducing the number of trained combatants. The training standards are low, and technical expertise is almost non-existent, requiring the use of U.S. contractors to maintain advanced equipment. In a true conflict situation, these contractors would likely leave, exacerbating the already severe shortages.

The Yom Kippur War

The Yom Kippur War of 1973 provides a lens through which to understand the limitations of the Egyptian army. Despite a force of almost 800,000 troops, 1,700 tanks, 2,400 armored personnel carriers, 1,100 artillery pieces, and 400 combat aircraft, the Egyptian army was still no match for the more motivated, better-trained, and better-equipped American/European style army fielded by Israel.

During the war, the Israeli army managed to occupy significant territory while encircling Egypt's Third Army. The victory of the Israeli forces highlighted the weaknesses of the Egyptian army, particularly in terms of leadership, training, and logistics. Low-ranking officers, often lacking experience and motivation, struggled to command their troops effectively, leading to a series of logistical and tactical failures.

Conclusion

The Egyptian army, while a significant military force in the region, faces numerous internal challenges that impact its effectiveness in combat. From conscription to low training standards, the army is often unable to meet the high expectations of a true conflict situation. Drawing lessons from historical conflicts, such as the Yom Kippur War, highlights the need for reform and modernization to address these issues and improve the overall fighting capability of the Egyptian military.