Egypt Emerges As Potential Drone Market For Defence Firms At Arms Expo 

Numerous deals were signed at the event. State-owned Egyptian company Arab Organisation for Industrialisation inked an MoU with Chinese firm Norinco, also known as North Industries Corp, to make rocket-equipped drones. 

The recent defence expo in the Middle East and Africa confirmed that Egypt is positioning itself as a regional hub for defence technology. Hosting its biennial four-day EDEX trade fair in Cairo, Egypt attracted companies unveiling advanced military equipment. Because drone warfare is prevalent in this region, quadcopters, electromagnetic rifles, and AI-powered navigation systems were especially prominent at the event. 

Over 450 companies participated in the EDEX, pushing it to the same level as South Africa’s Africa Aerospace and Defence expo. However, Abu Dhabi’s IDEX is the Middle East’s biggest expo and is still leagues ahead of both countries. 

Numerous deals were signed at the event. State-owned Egyptian company Arab Organisation for Industrialisation inked an MoU with Chinese firm Norinco, also known as North Industries Corp, to make rocket-equipped drones. Cairo-based media also confirmed that the company has signed a deal with France’s Dassault Aviation to produce spare parts for Rafale fighter jets. 

Although no more details regarding these deals were disclosed, there were reports of yet another Egyptian defence company, Amstone International Group, with at least three other unnamed companies for its ‘kamikaze’ drones. Mohammed Al-Sayed, consultant at Amstone, said that along with the Jabbar family, single-use drones, the company was looking to expand into the international market, already boasting multiple partnerships with several African defence ministries. 

Most of the products at the exhibition have been tested in or at least inspired by the equipment used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The military tensions between the countries, which resurfaced in 2022, have witnessed exponential use of drone and counter-drone technology, which has advanced rapidly. 

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are cheaper yet effective, have dominated the warfare scene in recent years. They are being used extensively in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and are also predominant in the conflicts plaguing Libya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Yemen. These unfortunate, long-drawn conflicts are proving highly profitable for the defence sector, where industry giants and startups alike are signing billion-dollar deals. 

Companies from the US, Russia, UAE, India, China, South Korea, Pakistan and beyond displayed their newly introduced or popular line-up of military concoctions to a clientele from Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Rwanda, Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe, amongst others. 

One of the most influential countries in the MENA region, Egypt, aims to become a hub for defence equipment manufacturing. Last September, the Biden administration wrote a cheque for $1.3 billion in military aid to Cairo. The White House was criticised for approving such a huge sum to its close ally at a time when Egypt was accused of human rights violations, but the US maintained that both countries were working closely on preserving human rights while strengthening bilateral ties. 

Drones are the future of modern warfare, and in the past couple of years, countries have entered into partnerships with defence companies to increase their military capabilities. In 2021, the UAE confirmed that it had signed agreements to buy nearly 50 F-35 jets, 18 armed drones and other defence equipment in a deal worth $23 billion with the US. 

The UAE had long coveted the F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin, and these deals also included $10.4 billion worth of 50 F-35A fighters,18 MQ-9B drones for approximately $2.97 billion, and various munitions valued at $10 billion. 

In the same year, Egypt also signed a $4.5 billion deal with France for 30 Rafale fighter jets. Between 2013-2017, Franch was the primary weapons supplier to Egypt, having sold 24 warplanes with an option for 12 more. 

Egypt’s pursuit to become a defence manufacturing leader stands out as it positions itself at the forefront of the regional drone market. However, the growth of this military-industrial complex in a region affected by conflict also raises questions about the future prospects for peace and cooperation.