In a significant stride toward modernizing its defense capabilities, Egypt has entered into a memorandum of understanding with China’s North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) to collaboratively produce tactical unmanned aerial systems. This initiative, facilitated by Egypt’s state-owned Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing its defense sector while building a more robust local supply chain.
The agreement aims to integrate advanced Chinese components with the extensive resources of AOI’s Aircraft Factory network. AOI Chairman Maj. Gen. Mokhtar Abdel Latif emphasized the collaborative nature of this partnership, pointing out its potential to elevate local production and support domestic manufacturing initiatives. Latif expressed appreciation for the partnership’s role in technological localization and in augmenting the share of local manufacturing in defense systems, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Aircraft Factory.
A cornerstone of this collaboration is set to be the Hamza-2 drone, a sophisticated combat UAV equipped with guided munitions and based on the ASN-209 platform from China. This drone is anticipated to serve not only reconnaissance missions but also offensive operations, marking a crucial evolution in Egypt’s aerial combat capabilities. However, specifics regarding whether the Hamza-2 will be part of this partnership, along with initial production plans and potential export arrangements, have yet to be disclosed.
This agreement was formalized during the opening of the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) in New Cairo, a significant event that attracted over 450 defense companies and delegations from more than 100 countries. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the opening, reinforcing Egypt’s strategic intentions in the defense arena.
In conjunction with the memorandum with NORINCO, AOI also finalized several other agreements during the expo, including collaborations with the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and Al-Qalaa Red Flag. These agreements focus on joint manufacturing, sustainment, and export initiatives, further solidifying Egypt’s strategic partnerships in the defense sector.
Additionally, Egypt is strengthening ties with France’s Dassault Aviation, which will enable local production of components for Rafale fighter jets, bolstering Cairo’s position as a regional defense-industrial hub. This multifaceted approach to enhancing military capabilities reflects Egypt’s ambitions to not only modernize its own armed forces but also to emerge as a key player in the defense manufacturing landscape.
