Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met the CEO of top US defence contractor Lockheed Martin, Marillyn Hewson, in Cairo on Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said in a statement that El-Sisi had praised the current cooperation with the company, which has provided Egypt with a number of F-16 fighter jets. 

The world's largest defence contractor, Lockheed Martin manufacters the F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets as well as warships and other multibillion-dollar arms systems sold worldwide.

"El-Sisi is hoping for a continued cooperation in the framework of Egypt's keenness on reinforcing its security and stability, especially in the light of current regional challenges," the presidential statement read. 

Hewson asserted the importance of Egypt's role in supporting the base of stability and security in the Middle East, especially given its notable role in the international alliance against fighting terrorism, according to the statement.

She said that her corporation is dedicated to continued cooperation with Egypt in all fields, providing Egypt with its needs to achieve security and promote its capabilities.

For the past two years, Egypt has adopted a policy of diversifying its sources of armaments and increased its military cooperation  with several European states, including France,  theUK, and others amid its fight on terrorism in Sinai. 

Troops have been fighting the Islamist insurgency that has left hundreds of army and police personnel in Sinai and across the country.

Last month, Egypt received four F-16 fighter jets from the US, the last batch F-16s which were part of a $3.2 billion military deal that Egypt signed with the US in 2009.