Instability in Egypt, where a newly-elected Islamic government teeters over  an angry population, isn't enough to stop the U.S. from sending more than 20  F-16 fighter jets, as part of a $1 billion foreign aid package.

The first four jets are to be delivered to Egypt beginning Jan. 22, a source  at the naval air base in Fort Worth, where the planes have been undergoing  testing, told FoxNews.com. The North African nation already has a fleet of more  than 200 of the planes and the latest shipment merely fulfills an order placed  two years ago. But given the uncertainty in Cairo, some critics wonder if it is  wise to be sending more top gun planes.

“Should an overreaction [by Egypt] spiral into a broader conflict between  Egypt and Israel, such a scenario would put U.S. officials in an embarrassing  position of having supplied massive amounts of military hardware … to both  belligerents,” said Malou Innocent, a foreign policy analyst at the Cato  Institute. “Given Washington's fiscal woes, American taxpayers should no longer  be Egypt’s major arms supplier.”

The U.S. government ordered and paid for the  fighter jets for Egypt's military as part of foreign aid for Egypt back in 2010,  when Hosni Mubarak ruled. The fighter jets were supposed to be delivered in  2013, and delivery will go ahead as scheduled even though Hosni Mubarak has been  removed from power and replaced by Mohamed Morsi, who led the Muslim Brotherhood  before becoming Egypt's president.

Morsi was democratically elected, but last month attempted to seize dictatorial powers for himself.  After widespread protests and violence in Egypt's capital of Cairo,  Morsi backed off from his power grab. But he is pushing through a controversial new constitution for  Egypt that would more strictly enforce Islamic Shariah law, and only  recently said he reserves the right to have the military arrest protesters  without charges.

"The Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood government has not proven to be a partner  for democracy as they had promised, given the recent attempted power grab," a  senior Republican congressional aide told FoxNews.com.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-Fla.), who chairs the House Committee on Foreign  Affairs, recently criticized  U.S. military aid to Egypt:

“The Obama administration wants to simply throw money at an Egyptian  government that the president cannot even clearly state is an ally of the United  States,” Rep. Ros-Lehtinen said.

The $213 million order, which is paid for by U.S. taxpayers and is part of  Egypt's foreign aid package from America, had to be approved by lawmakers in  Washington.While the basic F-16 has been a military workhorse for top air forces  for more than 25 years, the cockpit electronics are constantly updated and the  models Egypt is getting are the best defense contractor Lockheed Martin  makes.

"This is a great day for Lockheed Martin  and a testament to the enduring partnership and commitment we have made to the  government of Egypt," said John Larson, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16  programs. "We remain committed to providing our customer with a proven, advanced  4^th Generation multirole fighter."

"In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius exceed  that of all potential threat fighter aircraft," the U.S. Air Force description of  the plane reads.

"The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its  weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return  to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver  ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions."

A Pentagon spokesman said the U.S. and Egypt have an important alliance that  is furthered by the transfer.

"The U.S.-Egypt defense relationship has served as the cornerstone of our  broader strategic partnership for over thirty years," said Lt. Col. Wesley  Miller. "The delivery of the first set of F-16s in January 2013 reflects the  U.S. commitment to supporting the Egyptian military's modernization  efforts.  Egyptian acquisition of F-16s will increase our militaries'  interoperability, and enhance Egypt's capacity to contribute to regional mission  sets."  (These people are nuts!)