Egypt, France launch joint naval exercise Cleopatra 2017

Ahmed Eleiba , Monday 10 Jul 2017

Egypt, France
Egypt, France joint naval military exercise. (Photo Courtesy of Spokesman of the Egyptian Armed Forces Facebook page)

Egypt and France are set to launch naval military exercise Cleopatra 2017 on Monday, which will run for several days on Egyptian territorial waters in the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

In a statement on Monday, the Egyptian armed forces said the training encompasses several units and naval machinery, including Egyptian and French Mistral helicopters, a number of frigates, rocket launchers, aircrafts that discover and combat submarines and Egyptian F-16 fighter jets.

"The training is in the framework of supporting distinguished relations and enhancing cooperation and exchange of experience between the armed forces of each country," the statement read.

"[The naval exercise] emphasises the strategic and military partnership and cooperation between Egypt and France," it added.

The training activities include planning and management of joint offencive and defencive combat operations, inspection of suspicious vessels, transportation exercises, reception and departure of helicopters from the roofs of units, training on the security of naval units using air defence weapons and the maritime landing of personnel and equipment on the coast.

In 2016, Egypt carried out 30 joint military exercises with 20 Arab and African countries, and European countries including France and Russia. 

 
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