Egypt's first defence expo, EDEX 2018, will kick off on Monday in Cairo, where 373 major defence companies from 41 countries are participating.

Organised by Egypt's Armed Forces under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the fair – the first of its kind in Africa – will showcase the latest military and security technology, equipment and systems.

EDEX 2018, which will be inaugurated by President El-Sisi and will run from 3 to 5 December, is expected to draw at least 10,000 visitors at Egypt's International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo.

The UK Trade Envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East (DSAME) John Lorimer arrived on Sunday in Egypt along with a trade delegation to attend the expo.

On Thursday, a Saudi delegation led by the head of the kingdom's state-owned Military Industries Corporation, Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Mady,also arrived to attend the expo.

Saudi Arabia will have the largest pavilion at the fair, where it will showcase its latest defence products.

Egypt's Minister of Military Production Mohamed Minister El-Assar has said that Egypt's political leadership is supporting the event and aims to ensure that it is on par with similar events globally.

The minister also said that Egypt's military will provide all the necessary facilities to ensure its success, adding that the exhibition will be held every two years.

The event is being organised in cooperation with the UK's Clarion Events, which organises defence and security exhibitions.

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