the associated British Arab Engine Company also produced the Turbomeca Astazou turboshaft powerplants for these Egyptian-build Gazelles. The fortunes of ABHCO were heavily shaped by both Egyptian and international politics alike. Following the signing of the Camp David Accords between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978, Egypt was subject to an economic boycott by many of its former Arab partners, who also moved to liquidate jointly held assets. This threw the existence of AOI, and therefore ABHCO, into a state of uncertainty for a time. All four member states in ABHCO had placed orders for a cumulative batch of 250 locally-built Lynx helicopters, but these would be cancelled without redress. In response, Egypt declared that AOI, which had become a major industrial employer in the nation, would become a purely Egyptian endeavour. However, this unilateral declaration posed some legislative difficulties. The company remained active as a manufacturing venture for several years, but accumulated a considerably high level of debt and failed to fulfil licensing payments to Westland. During the 1980s and 1990s, Westland pursued ABHCO over incomplete payments, resorting to legal action being taken against the company. References Citations Bibliography Feiler, Gil. Economic Relations Between Egypt and the Gulf Oil States, 1967–2000: Petro Wealth and Patterns of Influence. Sussex Academic Press, 2003. . Ra'anan, Uri., Pfaltzgraff, Robert L. and Kemp, Geoffrey. Arms Transfers to the Third World: The Military Buildup in Less Industrial Countries. Westview Press, 1978. . External links Factory official page Multinational aircraft manufacturers Joint ventures Manufacturing companies of Egypt Egypt–United Kingdom relations Helicopter manufacturers Defence companies of Egypt