Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke this morning with Egyptian Minister of Defense Colonel General Sedki Sobhy, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
In a statement summarizing the discussion, Kirby said the defense secretary confirmed to Sobhy that the U.S. plans to deliver 10 AH-64 Apache helicopters to Egypt to support their counterterrorism efforts.
The men also discussed regional security in the Middle East and North Africa and the U.S. led coalition to counter-ISIL, the press secretary added.
Hagel thanked Sobhy for Egypt's role in brokering a cease fire to end the Gaza crisis.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and agreed to continue to engage regularly,” Kirby said.Â