Egypt and Pakistan Move Toward Deeper Defense and Security Partnership

Egypt and Pakistan appear to be paving the way toward a deeper, potentially strategic military alliance, as President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Pakistan, in Cairo on Wednesday.

The high-level meeting focused on expanding military and security cooperation, amid shared interest in regional stability and the fight against extremism. The visit, framed as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral strategic ties, comes at a time when both countries are exploring new military partnerships and defense industry collaborations.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency, General Mirza conveyed greetings from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while President Sisi praised the growing momentum in Egypt-Pakistan relations. The leaders reportedly discussed joint defense initiatives, counter-terrorism efforts, and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Defense analyst Umair Aslan, speaking to Defense Arabia, highlighted the significant opportunity for Egypt to benefit from Pakistan’s growing defense industry. Over the past two decades, Pakistan has emerged as a credible and cost-effective defense supplier, offering viable alternatives to traditional Western sources.

According to Aslan, one of the most appealing options for Egypt could be the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter, co-developed by Pakistan and China. The lightweight, versatile, and affordable aircraft could help modernize Egypt’s air fleet without the heavy political strings or financial costs often associated with US or French jets. Despite its lower cost, the JF-17 boasts modern avionics, weapon systems, and air superiority capabilities, making it a practical choice for flexible air defense.

In terms of ground forces, Aslan suggested that Pakistan’s "Al-Khalid" and "Al-Zarrar" main battle tanks may also be of interest to Egypt. The Al-Khalid, equipped with Chinese and Pakistani technology, offers strong engine performance and advanced targeting systems. Meanwhile, the Zarrar is a low-cost modernization option for older tanks—something Egypt may explore, especially as it aims to enhance local manufacturing capabilities.

While Pakistan’s ballistic missile systems may not be Egypt’s primary focus, anti-ship and conventional surface-to-surface missile systems developed by Pakistan could be valuable additions to Egypt’s arsenal, particularly as Cairo looks to build a cost-effective and adaptable defense posture.

What makes this evolving relationship noteworthy is that both countries appear willing to move beyond simple arms transactions. According to Aslan, the Sisi-Mirza meeting, along with other recent defense engagements, signals a clear intent to forge a deeper defense partnership that includes industrial collaboration, technical exchange, and joint military training.