EDEX 2025 brings together more than 450 global defence companies, 25 national pavilions, and official delegations from over 100 countries, with organizers expecting more than 40,000 specialized visitors. According to the Egyptian Presidency, this level of international participation reflects global confidence in Egypt’s organizational capabilities, regional influence, and growing attractiveness as a hub for defence and tourism investment.

Upon arrival, President SISI was welcomed by Prime Minister MADBOULY, Minister SAQR, and senior officials. A commemorative group photo with international guests preceded a multilingual musical performance titled ʿAla Ṭūl Mitgamaʿīn (“Always United”), which opened the ceremony. This was followed by a documentary on the K9A1 EGY self-propelled howitzer (SPH), one of the world’s most advanced artillery systems. The film highlighted Egypt’s official expression of interest in the system in February 2022 and its subsequent move to jointly manufacture the howitzer domestically to enhance the capabilities of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Strategic Messages and Regional Context

In his address, Commander-in-Chief and Minister of Defense Abdel Mageed SAQR described EDEX as a “global platform” for advanced defence technologies amid “rapid regional and international transformations.” He stressed that military readiness has become an essential national duty in light of ongoing regional conflicts, including the crisis in Gaza. Saqr reiterated Egypt’s longstanding warnings about the risk of a wider regional conflict—warnings he said had proven “wise and prescient.”

He emphasized that Egypt’s expanding military capabilities represent “an investment in genuine peace,” reaffirming that the Armed Forces act as a rational force that “protects and does not threaten,” safeguarding both national sovereignty and regional stability. Saqr also linked Egypt’s ancient heritage with its modern ambitions, citing the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum as a symbol of continuity between the nation’s past and its future aspirations.

Major Defence Unveilings: ‘Rada’a 300’, K9A1 EGY, and New Drone Systems

EDEX 2025 showcased major advances in Egypt’s defence-industrial base. The Ministry of Military Production unveiled the new “Rada’a 300” tracked multiple-launch rocket system, capable of striking targets up to 300 km away—significantly enhancing Egypt’s long-range strike capabilities.

Officials also presented the first batch of locally produced K9A1 EGY self-propelled howitzers, built under a joint manufacturing agreement with South Korea. The system now incorporates 67% of locally produced components, with the first operational battalion scheduled for delivery in early 2026. Egypt has also begun producing 155mm ammunition and an automated fire-control system domestically.

In a major industrial milestone, the ministry announced Egypt’s first-ever production of armored steel plates up to 30mm thick, doubling previous domestic capacity and advancing local manufacturing of armored vehicles and tanks. Other new platforms debuted included the fully Egyptian-made Sina 806 armored recovery vehicle and the Sakr 105 shoulder-fired thermobaric launcher.

Unmanned systems were a key highlight of this year’s exhibition. The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and several private firms displayed new loitering munitions, tactical drones, FPV attack drones, and counter-drone systems. Key exhibits included Tornex’s Jabbar and Voltex loitering munitions, the lightweight FL350 reconnaissance drone, and the AOI’s Hamza-1 VTOL aircraft and Scorpion unmanned ground vehicle, developed in cooperation with HAVELSAN.

International Cooperation and Industrial Agreements

The opening day featured several strategic agreements. The AOI signed an MoU with China’s Norinco to localize defence system manufacturing in Egypt, bolstering technology transfer and domestic production.

Additionally, the AOI concluded seven agreements with the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Aviation Group covering joint manufacturing, maintenance, MRO cooperation, and logistics support across multiple AOI facilities. Another MoU with UAE–Chinese firm Al-Qalaa Red Flag aims to develop new production lines and expand export potential.

In the aerospace sector, the AOI announced the start of local production of Rafale fighter jet wing components, following Dassault Aviation’s approval of AOI factories as part of its global supply chain—an important step towards deepening Egypt’s aeronautics manufacturing capabilities.

Presidential Tour of National and International Pavilions

Following the ceremony, President SISI toured the exhibition halls, visiting the Egyptian pavilions of the Vehicle Administration, Engineering Industries Complex, Ministry of Military Production, Arab International Optronics Company, and the AOI. He also inspected the UAE and Jordanian pavilions, underscoring Egypt’s strengthening defence partnerships with regional allies.

The opening day concluded with a second commemorative photo featuring the President and senior executives from participating defence companies.

A Growing Hub for Regional Defence

Organized by the Egyptian Armament Authority of the Ministry of Defence, EDEX is a biennial international defence exhibition showcasing advances in land, sea, and air military technologies. It is considered one of the leading defence platforms in Africa and the Middle East, drawing senior military leaders, policymakers, and major global and local defence companies.

Since its launch in 2018, EDEX has rapidly expanded into one of the region’s largest defence exhibitions. With record international participation and new milestones in domestic production, EDEX 2025 reinforces Egypt’s rising profile as a defence-industrial power and a central actor in Middle Eastern security cooperation. Today, the expo stands as a testament to Egypt’s increasingly advanced defence manufacturing and design capabilities, which have grown markedly since the first edition in 2018.