The event was attended by senior Egyptian and international military leaders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Commander of US Central Command General Brad Cooper, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, commanders of Egypt’s main military branches, representatives of participating nations, military attachés, and members of the media.
Forces from Egypt, the United States, and other participating nations carried out the live-fire operation.
Multi-role fighter jets and armed anti-tank helicopters struck designated targets, while artillery units delivered precise bombardments.
Mechanized and armoured units advanced with support from anti-tank missile teams and air defence systems to consolidate gains and destroy enemy positions.
The drill demonstrated close coordination between units, effective manoeuvring, and the use of terrain to achieve operational goals.
It concluded with a symbolic “Friendship Jump” by paratroopers carrying the flags of participating countries.
At the end of the activities, General Saqr conveyed greetings from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, and welcomed the participation of allied nations.
He praised the performance and professionalism shown during the exercise, saying it reflected the advanced combat capabilities of the joint forces and their ability to carry out combined missions effectively.
He stressed that Bright Star plays an important role in strengthening military cooperation and interoperability among partner nations.
On the sidelines of the exercise, General Saqr met with General Cooper in the presence of Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, senior Egyptian commanders, and the US ambassador to Cairo.
The talks focused on regional security developments and ways to boost bilateral military cooperation in the future.
Bright Star 2025, now in its final phase, is one of the world’s largest multinational military exercises and the longest-running in the Middle East and Africa.
First held in 1980 following the Camp David Accords and the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, Bright Star began as a bilateral drill between Egypt and the United States.
It has since expanded to include NATO partners and allies from across the Arab and African regions.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Pakistan have participated in various editions.
The exercise is typically held at Mohammed Naguib Military Base and nearby ranges in Egypt’s Western Desert. It involves tens of thousands of troops, fighter jets, naval vessels, and armoured units.
Training scenarios cover counterterrorism, peacekeeping, maritime security, air defence, humanitarian assistance, and conventional warfare.
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