Egyptian Air Defense Forces Commander Provides Insight on Modern Military Operations, Air Defense Challenges

Commander of the Egyptian Air Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Yasser Al-Toudi, provided insight about the recent military operations, the notable development in air attack weapons and their use tactics, and the challenges facing the air defense system.

The remarks were delivered during a press conference on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Occasion of Air Defense Forces Day.

Recent military operations have highlighted the emergence of new centers of gravity that decisively determine outcomes, most notably:

Air Superiority

Possession of modern fighters designed with stealth technology, equipped with advanced radars and multiple hardpoints to carry highly precise smart munitions, capable of long-range launches and penetrating fortifications. Their combat operations are secured by command and control aircraft and electronic warfare planes, accompanied by aerial refueling aircraft to conduct long-range air operations with maximum weapons load without the need to return to bases. There is also intensive use of multi-role unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — reconnaissance, combat, explosive, armed, and deception drones launched in large densities to confuse command and control and deplete missile ammunition.

Missile Superiority

Expansion in conducting missile strikes (ballistic and cruise) featuring hypersonic speeds, high maneuverability, and multiple warheads (saturation attack system)

Technological Superiority

Integration of artificial intelligence technologies into air weapon systems has led to a tremendous leap in strike accuracy and the ability to avoid air defense operational zones. Cyberattacks are launched on infrastructure and information systems prior to air/missile strikes to paralyze and confuse communication systems, information networks, and command and control centers. Psychological operations are also conducted through all means (visual, audio, social media) to affect morale among forces, public opinion, and internal front cohesion.

Securing Accurate Information

Monitoring and identifying air defense positions and preparing a target bank planned for initial operations. Agents are planted in advanced deep positions to influence airbases and air defense means and to designate strike targets for precise guidance of aerial munitions.

To counter various types of air and missile threats and secure vital targets

Reliance on space-based assets and early warning networks to detect the launch of ballistic missiles

Utilization of all available reconnaissance means (airborne early warning, airborne platforms, diverse ground radars) to detect various aerial threats.

Building an integrated air defense system based on the concept of multiple layers and ranges, considering diverse confrontation patterns against aerial threats (fighters on interception lines, armed helicopters, naval air defense means, electronic warfare elements, multi-range surface-to-air missile and artillery systems).

Extensive use of non-conventional systems to counter UAVs and smart munitions (integrated jamming systems, deception systems, laser systems, high-power electromagnetic pulse devices, etc.)

The system elements are controlled by command and control centers at various levels to collect, filter, distinguish, and analyze information to assess the threat level of targets and assign the most suitable positive elements to confront them.