The four-day exhibition, held from 1 to 4 December under the auspices of President El-Sisi in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is organized by the Egyptian Armament Authority.
It is the only defence and security exhibition that covers both Africa and the Middle East.
According to its official platform, it is the largest defence show in Africa, reflecting Egypt’s growing role as a regional hub for defence technology and military innovation.
Organizers say EDEX 2025 will be the exhibition’s largest edition to date, bringing together more than 450 companies from leading global defence and security manufacturers.
These companies represent all major areas of military capability, including armoured vehicles, naval systems, air defence technologies, UAVs, electronic warfare systems, command-and-control tools, and new-generation protective equipment.
Delegates from more than 86 countries will attend, highlighting broad international interest in defence partnerships, procurement plans, and technological development.
The exhibition is also expected to receive more than 100 official delegations, including defence ministers, chiefs of staff, senior commanders, national armament directors, and heads of state defence industries.
Organisers expect more than 40,000 visitors during the four days.
President El-Sisi was welcomed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, General Abdel Mageed Saqr, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and minister of defence, and Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, chief of staff of the Armed Forces.
Presidential Spokesperson said a commemorative photo was taken of the president with senior officials before the start of the exhibition’s activities.
The opening featured a musical performance, followed by a presentation on the joint manufacturing project of the K9A1 EGY howitzer, a documentary on the project, and another film highlighting Egypt’s Defence Industries Exhibition.
El-Sisi then visited the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, touring the Egyptian pavilion and receiving briefings on exhibits from the Vehicles Department (Engineering Industries Complex), the Ministry of Military Production, the Arab International Optronics Company, and the Arab Organization for Industrialization, the spokesperson added.
He also inspected the national pavilions of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
At the conclusion of the event, the president posed for a commemorative photograph with representatives from the world’s leading defence industries participating in the exhibition.
This wide diplomatic and military presence underscores EDEX’s position as an important venue for strategic discussions, cooperation opportunities, and assessments of the latest defence technologies.
The exhibition area covers more than 45,000 square metres, making EDEX one of the region’s largest defence shows in scope and technical range.
The expanded format allows global manufacturers, research institutions, and military delegations to participate in demonstrations, product launches, and bilateral meetings across various defence fields.
On 13 November, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced the launch of EDEX 2025 at an international press conference, stressing the political leadership’s strong support for the event.
Officials said EDEX has become a key platform that showcases Egypt’s ability to host global defence events while supporting the country’s goal of strengthening its defence industrial base.
They added that coordination among military institutions, government bodies, and international partners would deliver an exhibition that reflects Egypt’s growing visibility on the global stage.
EDEX 2025 will include national pavilions from 25 countries, each presenting its main defence technologies and industrial capabilities.
These pavilions highlight the scale of international investment and interest in the Egyptian market and in regional security.
The exhibits will span land, maritime, and aerospace systems, showing the breadth of innovation across defence sectors.
During the press briefing, media representatives received updates on logistics, security arrangements, visitor management, and the event’s main objectives.
Officials said EDEX will host one of the region’s most extensive VIP Delegation Programmes, designed to facilitate structured meetings between exhibitors and international defence leaders involved in procurement, research, and military modernisation.
The exhibition also supports Egypt’s strategic aim of promoting technology transfer, industrial partnerships, and increased local manufacturing to advance defence self-sufficiency.
Since its launch in December 2018, EDEX has expanded in size and influence, becoming a regular event on the international defence calendar and a key destination for companies seeking to strengthen their presence in Africa and the Middle East.
The 2025 edition is expected to cement Egypt's position as a hub for military cooperation and defence industry development.
EDEX 2025 opened to industry professionals on Monday, with inaugural ceremonies, high-level meetings, and a full programme of exhibitions running until 4 December.
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