President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on Monday the 4th edition of the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2025), one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest military exhibitions, held at Al-Manara International Conference Center and the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in New Cairo. The President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Minister of Defense General Abdel Meguid Saqr, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa.
According to the Presidential Spokesman, the opening began with a welcoming ceremony and a commemorative photo with senior international guests, followed by a multilingual performance of the song “Always United”. The ceremony also included a detailed presentation on Egypt’s joint manufacturing program of the K9A1 EGY self-propelled howitzer, one of the flagship projects of Egypt–South Korea defense cooperation, along with documentaries showcasing the evolution of Egypt’s defense industries and the scale of this year’s exhibition.
In his opening remarks, General Abdel Meguid Saqr affirmed that EDEX has matured into a global platform that attracts leading international manufacturers of armaments, advanced systems, unmanned technologies, and military innovations. This year’s edition hosts hundreds of exhibitors from more than 40 countries—reflecting a continuation of EDEX’s rapid rise since its launch in 2018, which positioned Egypt as one of the region’s most important hubs for defense diplomacy and industry.
The Minister of Defense stressed that the 2025 edition comes at a time of unprecedented geopolitical volatility, where regional and global conflicts have increased the need for strategic readiness, modernization, and international cooperation. He noted that Egypt’s foreign policy warnings over the past years—particularly regarding the dangers of regional escalation and the impact of power politics—proved prescient amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Saqr highlighted Egypt’s leading humanitarian and diplomatic role, recalling the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, where Egypt brought together key regional and international actors to press for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a path toward just and comprehensive peace.
The Minister underlined that Egypt’s military strength serves as a deterrent, not an instrument of aggression. He emphasized that the Armed Forces remain committed to securing national borders, safeguarding regional stability, and reinforcing Egypt’s position as a responsible actor capable of balancing peace-building with strategic preparedness.
He also drew a symbolic link between Egypt’s ancient heritage and its modern capabilities, noting that the imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) embodies Egypt’s historic resilience, while EDEX 2025 showcases the country’s technological transformation and growing defense manufacturing capacity.
Following the opening, President El-Sisi toured the Egyptian pavilion at EIEC, where he viewed the latest developments of:
- The Vehicles Department / Engineering Industries Complex
Showcasing armored vehicles, tactical platforms, and locally assembled models. - The Ministry of Military Production
Presenting new Egyptian-made drones, counter-drone systems, smart munitions, and command-and-control technologies. - The Arab International Optronics Company
Displaying advanced optical systems, night-vision scopes, and surveillance technologies produced in partnership with leading global firms. - The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI)
Highlighting its expanding role in UAV platforms, radar systems, and regional industrial partnerships.
The President also visited several international pavilions, including those of the United Arab Emirates and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which are among the largest regional participants at EDEX and key partners in joint industrial and technological programs.
The event concluded with a second commemorative photo featuring the President and executives of major global defense manufacturers participating in EDEX 2025. The Presidency emphasized that Egypt remains committed to expanding strategic partnerships, increasing technology transfer, and enhancing interoperability with friendly and allied nations.
With record international participation, strengthened domestic defense capabilities, and high-profile political attendance, EDEX 2025 reinforces Egypt’s position as a rising regional defense-industrial power and a central player in Middle East security architecture.
