The Military Capabilities of Egypt

Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has faced a major drawback after his bombshell advice to the Egyptian Armed Forces to focus on defence instead of selling shrimp and biscuits.

In a lengthy statement on X, Mahmoud Gamal, a geopolitical and military affairs observer of the MENA region, shed light on a number of the remarkable developments the Egyptian defence industry sector has witnessed in recent years despite external constraints and economic challenges.

He noted that what "only" has been announced is clear evidence of the scale of growth in this sector. 

"Egypt has been able to design, develop, and manufacture dozens of different models and versions of mine-resistant armoured vehicles, tactical vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers, rocket launchers of various calibers, various types of drones, and counter-rocket systems," Gamal said.

He added it also manufactures smart air munitions, bunker-busting bombs, and artillery ammunition as well as develops and produces a number of electronic and optical systems, such as guidance packages and fire control systems for vehicles and tanks, radars, self-protection systems, remotely controlled weapon systems (RCWS), electronic warfare systems, integrated command, control, and communications (C4I/C5I) systems, and even individual combat equipment that had never before been produced locally.

Gamal continued: "Egypt is working to localize the manufacturing of products serving the defense industry sector for the first time, such as the production of armoured steel and marine steel,".

He noted that the country has also concluded several technology transfer and cooperation programs with international companies. 

"Prominent examples include the recently launched local production program for the Korean K9A1 EGY self-propelled howitzer system; the ongoing cooperation with France through Thales, a global company that produces signaling systems and military communications equipment via satellite; and the existing partnership with the Ministry of Military Production to develop and produce air defense systems locally,".

Gamal highlighted that Egypt also cooperates with the Turkish company Havelsan to develop and manufacture unmanned vehicles for military use, as well as participating in the development and manufacture of armoured vehicles. 

He added that the country also cooperates with the French company Dassault to produce engine and fuselage components for the Rafale and Falcon fighter jets. 

"There are still many cooperation programs under negotiation, such as cooperation with Korea to produce the FA-50 advanced trainer and light combat aircraft," Gamal stated.

"In the maritime field, Egypt has made significant strides toward localizing its military naval industries," he noted."These efforts have included the construction and manufacture of three Gowind-class combat corvettes, the German Meko frigate, patrol and coastal patrol vessels, missile launches, and the production of naval drones, Future aspirations include transferring submarine construction technology locally and working simultaneously to design and build all-Egyptian naval vessels,". 

He concluded by pointing out that Egypt has never enjoyed the same level and scope of facilitation in the field of defense industry technology transfer as some regional countries, such as Turkey and Israel. "Furthermore, these countries have not experienced the same political and economic conditions that Egypt has experienced over the past decades, which ultimately led to the suspension or postponement of such programs and plans."