The fourth edition of the Egypt Defence Industries Exhibition (EDEX 2025) concluded last week after having drawn widespread interest among regional and international political and military circles.
During the opening ceremony, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi underscored the strategic priority the government attaches to developing the domestic defence industry and strengthening national defence capabilities.
EDEX 2025 was attended by high-level military and industry delegations from around the world, reflecting Egypt’s growing status as a regional and international hub for defence manufacturing and technology transfer.
Egyptian-made products were in the spotlight, offering tangible proof of Egypt’s ability to enter a sophisticated production track that integrates domestic manufacturing into global supply chains. The displays also testified to progress in the government’s strategic vision of building an independent industrial base capable of enhancing national military strength while expanding into export markets.
The pavilion of the Ministry of Military Production showcased more than 100 products, including tracked vehicles, weapons, munitions, explosives, and electronic jamming systems.
Many Egyptian-made products were unveiled for the first time. A main attraction was the Raad-300 tracked multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS), a multi-calibre, guided launcher capable of carrying out complex combat missions with high precision.
Nearby stood the upgraded Raad-200 MLRS, featuring a new hydraulic control system instead of the electrical system seen at the 2023 EDEX. Its fire control and aiming system has been improved to ensure better precision and field efficacy.
Another main product was the Sina-806 armoured recovery and field repair vehicle. One of the latest products of the Ministry of Military Production’s assembly lines, this vehicle operates alongside the Sina-200 family of armoured vehicles to provide technical support and field maintenance.
It has the same protection levels as the Sina-200 and is equipped with lifting and towing winches, full sets of field repair tools, and spare parts storage compartments. It is fully manufactured in Egypt.
In this edition of EDEX, the Egyptian Armed Forces unveiled the prototype of the latest edition of the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer (SPH), reflecting the national drive to upgrade combat systems to the latest global standards.
This system, which has entered the Egyptian arsenal, is one of the world’s most advanced and widely adopted SPHs and is reputed for its high firepower, mobility, combat-support flexibility, and reliability.
Thanks to a strategic partnership with South Korea (Hunhwa Aerospace), the K9A1 is being locally manufactured with the aim of advanced technology transfer and building Egypt’s domestic artillery industrial base. A domestic production line is being prepared to deliver the first battalion in the first half of 2026.
Egypt is also modernising its air defence with the German IRIS-T, which attracted considerable attention among visiting military delegations this year. This medium-range surface-to-air (SAM) system is widely reputed for its very high accuracy and advanced radar integration, enabling it to detect and engage aerial targets with high efficacy.
The Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) pavilion not only drew the highest numbers of visitors but also witnessed the most agreements signed with major defence firms.
Nearly 60 items were on display, including unmanned ground vehicles, command-and-control systems, various unmanned aerial systems (drones), and upgraded armoured vehicles. Eighteen of these had never been displayed before, of which nine were presented by the Armed Forces.
Among the most prominently featured was the Kader-2 light armoured vehicle, equipped with ceramic armour resistant to 0.5-inch (12.77 mm) rounds. It is entirely manufactured at the AOI’s Kader factory.
Another highlight was the “Aqrab” robotic ground combat vehicle, produced by AOI in cooperation with the Turkish software and systems company Havelsan. This six-wheeled remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is used in extremely dangerous combat environments and is noted for its high manoeuvrability while personnel remain at a safe distance.
Personnel protection technologies are among the AOI’s highest priorities in view of the rapidly changing modes of warfare and combat environments, according to AOI Chairman Major General Mokhtar Abdel-Latif.
This is why ceramic armour technology has been introduced into such vehicles as the Kader-2, which has undergone other comprehensive upgrades to increase its firepower through a self-propelled combat module, placing it on a par with advanced peer systems worldwide.
The Fahd armoured personnel carrier (APC) has also been upgraded with ceramic armour, while its hull has been modified to a V-shaped belly to enhance resistance to mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The AOI “exhibits are not just projects but also technologies that save lives,” Abdel-Latif said.
In statements to Al-Ahram Weekly, he introduced other unique systems, such as the combat soldier drone. Produced in collaboration with a Chinese firm, this is a miniature precision loitering/attack drone carried by a single soldier and equipped with a warhead that weighs less than 250 g.
It can return if the target is not engaged, which is unusual for loitering munitions.
Abdel-Latif also revealed the Hamza-1, a lightweight tactical UAV that can perform both surveillance and strike tasks, for the first time. With vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities and a range of around 100 km, it is produced in partnership with a Turkish firm.
Such partnerships are crucial to Egypt’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities. According to Abdel-Latif, Egypt’s partnership with France’s Dassault Aviation has reached an “unprecedented level”.
AOI factories are now an official part of the global supply chains for Dassault’s Rafale and Falcon aircraft, he said, adding that 15 components of these two aircraft are currently being manufactured in Egypt.
These have been displayed at the Le Bourget Air and Space Exhibition outside Paris under the “Made in Egypt” label, he said.
Also significant is Egypt’s cooperation with the US-based Honeywell Aerospace Company to manufacture parts for the AGT 1500 gas turbine engine that powers the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank.
Not only will this be a hard-currency generator, but it also demonstrates the growing global confidence in the quality of Egyptian products and services.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 11 December, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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