TheEgyptian Armed Forces (Arabic:القوات المسلحة المصرية,romanized: Al-Qūwāt Al-Musallaḥah Al-Maṣrīya) are the military forces of theArab Republic of Egypt. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces directs (a) Egyptian Army forces, (b) theEgyptian Navy, (c)Egyptian Air Force and (d)Egyptian Air Defense Forces. The Chief of Staff directly supervises army field forces (armies and districts), without any separateEgyptian Army headquarters.
Since the1952 Egyptian revolution that led to the overthrow of themonarchy, Egypt’s military has centralized Egypt’s governance and dominated its politics and economy.[6][7] Senior members of the military can convene theSupreme Council of the Armed Forces, such as during the course of the2011 Egyptian revolution, when President Mubarak resigned and transferred power to this body on February 11, 2011.[8]
The armament of the Egyptian armed forces varies between eastern and western sources through weapons deliveries by several countries, led by theUnited States,Russia,France,China,Italy,Ukraine andBritain. Much of the equipment is manufactured locally at Egyptian factories. The Egyptian armed forces celebrate their anniversary on October 6 each year to commemorate theCrossing of the Suez during theOctober War of 1973.
The modern Egyptian military was established byMuhammad Ali during his consolidation of power in Egypt, which significantly reduced Ottoman influence and contributed toEgypt becoming an autonomous vassal of theOttoman Empire and effectively a de facto independent state.
In the early 19th century,Muhammad Ali of Egypt undertook comprehensive military reforms aimed at establishing a centralized, European-style army capable of securing his territorial ambitions and consolidating his authority over Egypt and beyond. Though his initial campaigns, such as those in Arabia and Greece, were formally conducted on behalf of theOttoman Empire, Muhammad Ali progressively distanced himself from theSublime Porte and expanded Egypt’s military power through independent campaigns.
Central to his military project was the reorganization of the Egyptian army along modern lines. Recruits were placed under strict discipline and surveillance within newly constructed barracks, subject to multiple daily roll calls and corporal punishment, including the use of thebastinado andwhipping.[13] Military regulations and codes of conduct were developed to ensure obedience and uniform discipline, while new administrative practices introduced standardized record-keeping, personal identification numbers for soldiers, and hierarchical unit structures. These measures facilitated internal control, particularly in deterring desertion during forced marches or redeployment.[14]
Initially, Muhammad Ali relied onBedouin groups to monitor troops at training camps, but tensions soon arose, prompting a shift toward a system of internment and self-contained oversight within military facilities.[15] His reforms extended to logistical administration, including the centralization of salaries, distinctions between officers and enlisted men, and the formalization of career military service.
Map of Egypt under Muhammad Ali Dynasty
These internal reforms laid the foundation for a series of expansionist campaigns. In 1811, Muhammad Ali launched a campaign into the Arabian Peninsula to suppress theFirst Saudi State, recapturing theHejaz region and eventually defeating theHouse of Saud after a prolonged campaign led by his sons,Tusun Pasha andIbrahim Pasha.[16] This was followed by theTurco-Egyptian conquest of Sudan (1820–1824), in which Egyptian forces subdued fragmented tribal entities, establishing Egyptian authority in the region and creating a new source of conscripts and slaves for the Egyptian army, including the formation of theGihadiya foot regiments.[17]
Muhammad Ali also participated in the suppression of theGreek War of Independence on behalf of the Ottomans, deploying a large expeditionary force under Ibrahim Pasha. Despite early advances, the Egyptian navy was decisively defeated at theBattle of Navarino (1827) by a coalition of European powers, costing Egypt its fleet and forcing withdrawal.[18]
From 1831 to 1840, Muhammad Ali engaged in two major wars against the Ottoman Empire, seeking to annexSyria and eventually challenge Ottoman sovereignty. His forces captured much of the Levant and advanced into Anatolia, winning major victories such as theBattle of Konya (1832) andBattle of Nezib (1839).[19] However, sustained pressure from the European powers led to diplomatic intervention and the signing of theConvention of London (1840). Under its terms, Muhammad Ali was forced to relinquish control of most of his conquests in exchange for recognition of hereditary rule over Egypt andSudan, thus laying the groundwork for Egypt's de facto autonomy within the Ottoman Empire.[20]
Under Muhammad Ali’s successors, the military remained central to the state but faced constraints. During the reign ofAbbas I andSa'id Pasha, modernization slowed, although limited reforms were introduced, including early railway construction and the beginning of land and labor reforms.[21][22]
The most ambitious military and infrastructural expansions occurred underIsmail Pasha, who restructured the military academies, supported public works, and briefly pursued naval modernization, ordering ironclads and expanding the military's logistical capabilities.[23] Egypt’s military also played a role in territorial expansion, particularly in Sudan and Darfur.[24] However, this coincided with fiscal mismanagement and rising foreign debt, leading to increasing European oversight, culminating in the sale of Egyptian shares in theSuez Canal Company to Britain in 1879.
Dissatisfaction with foreign influence, combined with longstanding grievances among Egyptian officers, culminated in theUrabi Revolt (1881–1882), led byAhmed ‘Urabi. Originally sparked by resentment against favoritism toward officers of Turkish origin, the movement evolved into a broader nationalist uprising. Despite initial military resistance, Urabi’s forces were ultimately defeated by theBritish Army at theBattle of Tel-el-Kebir, leading to the de facto British occupation of Egypt.[25] Though nominally autonomous, Egypt effectively became a British protectorate until theunilateral declaration of independence in 1922.
By 1914, the Egyptian military functioned largely as a native home-defence and colonial garrison force. It was organized and equipped under British supervision and staffed primarily with British officers. Its structure included infantry battalions, mounted infantry, camel corps units, support services, and irregular militia components.[26][27]
The 1922 declaration of Egyptian independence formally ended the British protectorate but still left Egypt’s sovereignty constrained, particularly in military affairs. Britain retained control over Egypt’s defense, foreign relations, and Sudan, effectively limiting Egypt’s autonomy and perpetuating British military presence and influence. Although the declaration ended the legal fiction of Ottoman rule and met some nationalist demands, it failed to satisfy broader aspirations for full sovereignty. The resulting frustrations over continued British dominance, especially regarding the military, fueled further nationalist opposition and anti-British sentiment.[28][29]
TheEgyptian Air Force was initially established in 1930 as the Egyptian Army Air Force and formally inaugurated in 1932. In 1937, it was separated from army command and reorganized as an independent service under the name Royal Egyptian Air Force, becoming the third branch of the Egyptian military after the army and navy.[30]
DuringWorld War I, Egypt’s strategic importance increased significantly due to the threat posed by Ottoman incursions across the Sinai. Although such offensives were ultimately repulsed, Egyptian forces remained focused primarily on internal security and regional garrison duties, especially in Sudan. By 1917, approximately 15,000 Egyptian volunteers were serving in the regular military, while over 98,000 Egyptians served in logistical capacities through the Egyptian Labour Corps and Egyptian Camel Transport Corps.[31][32]
In the interwar period, although military service was technically compulsory, the armed forces remained limited in size and scope. By 1939, the total strength was modest, and British oversight remained extensive. Under the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, Britain retained the right to station troops in Egypt for the protection of the Suez Canal and continued to exert influence over training and operations.[33]
At the onset of theWorld War II, Egypt's military capacity remained limited. Following the Italian invasion of western Egypt in 1940, Egypt broke relations with theAxis powers and increasingly aligned itself with British military operations. While Egypt's forces were not the primary combatants, they contributed to British-led operations, including in theWestern Desert campaign. Axis forces under GeneralErwin Rommel made temporary advances into Egyptian territory before being repelled at theSecond Battle of El Alamein.
By the late 1940s, internal dissatisfaction with military leadership was growing. Many younger officers, particularly those educated in Britain, became disillusioned with the entrenched senior command, which was perceived as corrupt and incompetent, accusations heightened by Egypt's poor performance in the1948 Arab–Israeli War. Although a partial purge of the senior officer corps was carried out in 1950, many of the dismissed officers were later reinstated by royal decree, further fueling discontent within the ranks.[34]
In an effort to assert greater independence and reduce British influence, King Farouk dismissed the British Military Mission in 1950 and invited former GermanWehrmacht officers, including GeneralsWilhelm Fahrmbacher andOskar Munzel, to serve as advisors to the Egyptian military establishment. These advisors remained in the country until 1958.[35]
TheFree Officers in 1953, a year after toppling the monarchy
One of the early achievements of the new regime was the signing of theAnglo–Egyptian Agreement of 1954, which mandated the phased withdrawal of British forces from the Suez Canal zone. The agreement allowed for continued British access to the base under specific circumstances and stipulated complete withdrawal by June 1956.[36][37]
In 1956, the Egyptian Armed Forces were thrust into a major international conflict during theSuez Crisis, also known as the Tripartite Aggression.[38][39][40] The crisis erupted after PresidentGamal Abdel Nasser revoked the concession of the Anglo-French ownedSuez Canal Company and transferred canal operation to the state-ownedSuez Canal Authority, prompting a coordinated military response fromIsrael, theUnited Kingdom, andFrance. On 29 October, Israeli forces invaded theSinai Peninsula, followed days later by Anglo-French landings in the Canal Zone. The stated aim was to separate the combatants and secure freedom of navigation through the canal, but the operation was widely perceived as a ploy to topple Nasser and restore Western control over the vital waterway.
In the early 1950s, particularly after therevolution of 1952, politics rather than military competence was the main criterion for promotion.[41] Field Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer in particular was a purely political appointment, whose approach would lead to large-scale problems during the Suez War. Promotions were often based on loyalty rather than merit, and a rigid divide between officers and enlisted men contributed to widespread dysfunction.[41][42] Although some Egyptian defensive positions, such as at Abu Agelia and Mitla Pass, were organized and offered resistance, the Israeli forces quickly seized the initiative and routed Egyptian positions across the Sinai.[43] Nasser ordered a general withdrawal from the peninsula, which allowed Israeli troops to advance rapidly toward the Suez Canal.
The invasion was soon halted under intense international pressure. TheUnited States,[43]Soviet Union, andUnited Nations condemned the attack, forcing a ceasefire by 7 November. Although Egypt suffered tactical defeats, the crisis ultimately elevated Nasser’s stature in the Arab world and signaled the decline of British and French influence in the Middle East.[44][45] The Egyptian Armed Forces emerged from the conflict with considerable reputational damage, having revealed deep structural weaknesses, but the political outcome was widely seen as a strategic victory for Egypt.
An Egyptian armored column in Yemen, 1962
During theNorth Yemen Civil War that began in 1962, the Egyptian Armed Forces undertook one of their most extensive foreign deployments, dispatching tens of thousands of troops in support of republican forces against the royalists backed by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.[46][47] "In addition to Egyptian aid, the Soviet Union supplied 24 MiG-19s to the republicans."[46] Authorized by PresidentGamal Abdel Nasser, the campaign involved sustained aerial and ground operations with Soviet support. Within months of the initial deployment in 1962, Nasser recognized that the campaign would demand far more than anticipated and sought a face-saving exit strategy, but the scope of engagement continued to escalate.[48]
Fewer than 5,000 troops were initially deployed in October 1962, rising to 15,000 by December, 36,000 by late 1963, and 50,000 by late 1964. The peak came in late 1965, with approximately 55,000 personnel divided across 13 infantry regiments, an artillery division, a tank division from theEgyptian Armoured Corps, and multiple Special Forces and airborne regiments. Egyptian field commanders reported logistical constraints, notably the absence of reliable topographical maps during the early phase of operations.[49] The prolonged and resource-intensive conflict strained Egypt’s military capabilities and readiness, contributing to its strategic vulnerability ahead of Israel'sinvasion in 1967.[46][47]
In the period leading up to theSix-Day War in 1967, the Egyptian Armed Forces were organized into four regional military commands, Suez, Sinai, the Nile Delta, and the Nile Valley up to the border withSudan, while the remaining 75 percent of Egypt’s territory fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Frontier Corps.[50] Tensions escalated in May 1967 when PresidentGamal Abdel Nasser announced the closure of theStraits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, an action Israel interpreted as acasus belli and responded to by mobilizing its forces.[51]
In response, Egypt deployed three battalions of commandos toAmman in coordination withJordan on 3 June. According to historianTrevor N. Dupuy, drawing on the memoirs of KingHussein of Jordan, Nasser’s intent was not to initiate a war but to achieve political and rhetorical leverage.[52] Nevertheless, Israel proceeded with military action on 5 June.
At the time, the Egyptian Army had seven divisions positioned in the Sinai, two armored and five infantry, under the newly established Sinai Front Command, led by General Abdel Mohsin Murtagi, who had recently returned from Yemen.[53][54] In the weeks before the outbreak of hostilities, Field MarshalAbdel Hakim Amer implemented wide-ranging changes to the command structure, replacing both the commanders and chiefs of staff in six of the seven divisions. Scholars such asKenneth Pollack argue that these changes aimed to enhance operational effectiveness by placing veterans of the Yemeni conflict in key leadership roles.[55]
On the morning of 5 June, Israel launched a coordinated military offensive, targeting Egyptian airbases and achieving a substantial degradation of Egypt’s air power early in the conflict. Ground forces soon advanced into theSinai Peninsula, where Egyptian units faced mounting pressure across several fronts. Amid the deteriorating situation, Field Marshal Amer issued an order for a general withdrawal to the Suez Canal.[56] The execution of this withdrawal, conducted under fire and without coherent coordination, contributed to considerable disruption among Egyptian forces, who sustained further losses during the retreat.[citation needed]
Egyptian military vehicles crossing theSuez Canal over one of the bridgeheads duringOperation Badr.
In July 1972, PresidentAnwar Sadat expelledSoviet Armed Forces advisors from Egypt.[57] On 6 October 1973, during theYom Kippur holiday, which coincided with the 10th day ofRamadan,Egypt andSyria launched a surprise offensive to recover occupied territory, initiating theOctober War.[58] In the Sinai, Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal as part ofOperation Badr and established positions on the eastern bank, which it held throughout the conflict.[59] On 14 October, Egyptian forces advanced deeper into the peninsula to relieve pressure on the Syrian front; however, the Israelis halted this offensive after three days. Seizing the initiative, Israeli forces crossed the canal through a single crossing point atDeversoir,[60] cleared during theBattle of the Chinese Farm, and proceeded to advance north towardIsmailia andPort Said to isolate the Egyptian Second Army, south toward Suez to isolate the Third Army, and westward towardsCairo but were held at Nefalia.[61] They encountered fierce resistance on all fronts and Israel suffered a major setback northwards at theBattle of Ismailia.[62] A UN-brokered ceasefire took effect on 22 October, only to collapse soon after amid mutual accusations of violations. When hostilities resumed, Israel managed to achieve a breakthrough southward, effectively threatening the Third Army’s supply lines, but was ultimately unable to captureSuez despite multiple attempts.[63] A second ceasefire on 25 October ended the fighting.[64]
When Sadat and the Israelis concluded theCamp David Accords in September 1978, part of thequid pro quo for Egypt’s acceptance of peace was the provision of substantial U.S. military assistance. Today, the U.S. provides an annual assistance package often quoted at anominal $1.3 billion to the Egyptian Armed Forces.[65] This level is second only to that provided toIsrael.[66]
Scholars such asKenneth Pollack, DeAtkine, and Robert Springborg have proposed multiple explanations for the challenges that Arab (and Egyptian) armies encountered in conflicts with Israel from 1948 through the 1970s and beyond. In particular, they suggest that from 1948 onward, junior officers often exhibited limited willingness to manoeuvre, innovate, or act independently.[67] Ground forces units reportedly struggled with manipulation of information and insufficient attention to intelligence gathering and unbiased analysis. Observers note that elements from two Egyptian divisions sent toSaudi Arabia in 1990–91, accompanied by U.S. personnel during the 1991 Gulf War, frequently reported intense combat despite facing minimal or no resistance, whether or not U.S. military personnel or journalists were present.[68] Later studies, such as those by Springborg, indicate that these patterns continued within the Egyptian Armed Forces into the twenty-first century.[69]
An Egyptian soldier during a military exercise at Mohamed Naguib Military Base
During the2011 Egyptian revolution, the Egyptian Army was deployed to restore order in major cities. On 31 January 2011, Israeli media reported that the 9th, 2nd, and 7th Divisions were ordered intoCairo.[70] Subsequently, on 3 July 2013, the Armed Forces removed PresidentMohamed Morsi from office following mass protests demanding his resignation, an action widely described as acoup d’état.[71] In the days that followed, several violent incidents occurred, including theRepublican Guard headquarters clashes on 8 July 2013, which resulted in the deaths of 61 protesters.[72] On 14 August 2013, security forces, including the army and police, carried out the dispersal of pro-Morsi sit-ins at Rabaa and Nahda Squares, resulting in large-scale casualties. Estimates of the death toll vary, with some reports stating over 2,600 fatalities.[73][74] The events of 14 August 2013 are considered the deadliest day in Egypt since the 2011 revolution.[75] The international response included widespread condemnation from foreign governments and human rights organizations.[76][77]
Since the2013 Egyptian coup d'etat, the Egyptian Armed Forces has maintained a prominent role within the state, enjoying a high degree of institutional autonomy and influence across multiple sectors.[78] The military also holds a substantial presence in the economy, participating in areas such as infrastructure, housing, consumer goods, and tourism,[78] and possesses large real estate holdings. Information regarding its budget, leadership, and force size remains largely undisclosed and is considered classified.[78]
Estimates of the military's economic reach vary; journalist Joshua Hammer reported that the armed forces may control up to 40% of the Egyptian economy,[79] though such figures have been criticized for lacking empirical foundations and for rarely being grounded in systematic analysis.[80] These estimates often fail to distinguish between different forms of military economic engagement, such as the annual output of goods and services versus ownership of physical assets.[80] They also tend to conflate three distinct domains of economic involvement: formally registered military-owned enterprises under theMinistry of Military Production, theArab Organization for Industrialization, and other affiliated agencies whose actual production is significantly more modest than often portrayed; a wider group of public and private sector entities led or influenced by retired military officers, whose revenues do not belong to the armed forces; and regulatory privileges that generate income through licensing, leasing, tolls, and partnerships with national and international firms.[80]
In 2016, PresidentAbdel Fattah el-Sisi and military officials estimated that the formal military economy accounted for between 1% and 2% of Egypt’sGDP, likely encompassing the combined output of military agencies and revenues from public works. According toYezid Sayigh, senior fellow at theCarnegie Middle East Center, this estimate is likely closer to the actual scale of the military's formal economic activity.[80] While the military has expanded its access to extra-budgetary resources and assumed a growing role in state capital expenditure since 2013, analysts argue that its economic footprint is generally smaller, less efficient, and less productive than widely believed, though still of considerable significance.[80]
By 2018, analysts observed no overt signs of institutional fragmentation within the Armed Forces. According to Hussein and Martino, the military's entrenched dominance in political and security affairs may be attributed to a combination of factors: its expansive economic interests, long-standing national legitimacy reinforced by its role in welfare and development programs, and a conscription-based recruitment system that facilitates cross-class integration within the armed services.[81]
In 2019, it was reported that the Egyptian Armed Forces had begun a broad modernization effort under PresidentAbdel Fattah el-Sisi, following a long period of operational stagnation, since the 1970s.[82] This initiative has included a notable increase in military procurement, with purchases from France, Russia, and Germany that have added new fighter aircraft, naval vessels, submarines, and surveillance systems to Egypt’s inventory.[82] These acquisitions have supplemented longstanding military assistance from the United States and reflect a shift toward a more diversified supply strategy.[82] Parallel efforts have focused on doctrinal and structural reforms, including greater emphasis on interoperability, air mobility, maritime operations, and special forces.[82] Joint exercises with both regional and international partners have also expanded during this period.[82] However, the modernization program faces ongoing structural obstacles, such as entrenched command hierarchies, insufficient training regimes, and limited investment in logistical sustainment.[82] Despite these limitations, the current scope of reform is regarded as the most extensive military overhaul in Egypt in decades.[82]
In March 2021,Human Rights Watch published a report alleging that the Egyptian Armed Forces had committed violations of international law during operations in North Sinai, including the demolition of more than 12,300 residential and commercial structures and the clearance of approximately 6,000 hectares of farmland since 2013.[83]
Conscripts for theEgyptian Army and other service branches without a university degree serve three years as enlisted soldiers. Conscripts with a General Secondary School Degree serve two years as enlisted personnel. Conscripts with a university degree serve one year as enlisted personnel or three years as a reserve officer. Officers for the army are trained at theEgyptian Military Academy. The IISS estimated in 2020 that the Army numbered 90–120,000, with 190–220,000 conscripts, a total of 310,000.[86]
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF), a key branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces, operates a diverse array of aircraft sourced from the United States, France, Russia, and other countries. Its mainstay platform is theF-16 Fighting Falcon, with Egypt having received 220 aircraft as of 2015, including Block 52 variants.[87][88]
Since the mid-2010s, Egypt has pursued a comprehensive modernization of its air force to enhance combat readiness, diversify procurement sources, and replace aging fleets.[89] A central component of this effort was the 2015 agreement with France for the acquisition of 24Dassault Rafale fighter jets, followed by a second deal in 2021 for an additional 30 units, bringing the total to 54. These aircraft are stationed atGebel El Basur and are equipped with advanced weapon systems supplied byMBDA andSafran Electronics & Defense, significantly improving Egypt’s multirole strike capabilities.[89][90][91]
Complementing these are 46MiG-29M/M2 fighters acquired from Russia,[92] and legacy platforms such as theMirage 2000,MiG-21,F-7 Skybolt, andMirage V, though many older aircraft have been retired. The EAF’s rotary wing assets include 46AH-64 Apache helicopters upgraded to the AH-64D variant,[93] as well as 42Kamov Ka-52 from Russia. The EAF also operates airborne early warning aircraft such as theE-2C Hawkeye and upgraded F-16s equipped with AGM-84 Harpoon capabilities.
An Egyptian F16C Pilot
Efforts to modernize existing platforms have included the integration of Emirati-supplied Al Tariq precision-guided munitions onto Egypt’s Mirage 2000s, and similar upgrades on later-block F-16Cs.[89]
Egypt has also explored expanding its fixed-wing fleet with platforms from multiple suppliers. Planned acquisitions included 24Eurofighter Typhoons and 24M-346 jet trainers from Italy, although these deals were not finalized.[89] More recently, Egypt has shown interest in acquiring ChineseJ-10C andJ-31 fighter aircraft, potentially to further diversify its arsenal and reduce reliance on traditional Western suppliers.[89]
While Egypt has historically faced US-imposed limitations in its access to long-range air-to-air weaponry, recent procurement choices and diversification strategies suggest a growing emphasis on achieving technological parity with regional air forces. This shift in air defense posture reflects a broader goal of reinforcing deterrence and ensuring greater operational independence.[89]
In 2024 Israeli media reported that Egypt now possesses long-rangeMeteor air-to-air missiles, capable of striking targets beyond visual range at supersonic speeds with high precision and a range of over 150 kilometres.[94] Egypt has also received a significant amount of RussianR-77 beyond visual range air-to-air missiles as part of its MiG-29M/M2 deliveries.[95]
For training, the EAF fields Grob G-115 and K-8 Karakorum aircraft,[96] and has developed UAV capabilities through various private sector and international partnerships.[97] Strategic airlift capabilities have also expanded, with Egypt acquiring twoIl-76MF aircraft in 2019.[98]
TheEgyptian Air Defense Forces is Egypt's military service responsible for air defense. Egypt patterned its force after theSoviet Air Defence Force, which integrated all its air defence capabilities; antiaircraft guns, rocket and missile units, interceptor planes, and radar and warning installations. It appears to comprise five subordinate divisions, 110 surface-to-air missile battalions, and 12 anti-aircraft artillery brigades.[99] Personnel quality has been assessed as somewhat lower than that of the Egyptian Air Force.[100] The IISS estimated in 2020 that personnel numbered 80,000 active and 70,000 reserve.[86] Its commander isLieutenant GeneralAly Fahmy Mohammed Aly Fahmi.
In recent years Egypt has undertaken a broad and sustained modernization of its air defense network, integrating a mix of Western, Russian, and domestic systems into a layered architecture. This includes the acquisition of German-madeIRIS-T systems, comprising seven IRIS-T SLM medium-range batteries, six IRIS-T SLS short-range units, and ten IRIS-T SLX long-range batteries. The first systems were delivered in 2021, though subsequent shipments were delayed in 2022 after Germany redirected some systems to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion.[101] These platforms are supported by GermanTRML-4D radars and operate alongside FrenchGround Master 400 AESA radars and Russian 59N6E Protivnik-GE early warning systems.[101]
In addition to European acquisitions, Egypt received the RussianS-300VM surface-to-air missile system beginning in 2017, offering long-range, high-altitude intercept capabilities. The S-300VM complements Egypt’s existing inventory and significantly boosts its ability to counter ballistic and cruise missile threats.[101]
The United States has also contributed to Egypt’s air defense capacity, supplying surplus systems including theChaparral short-range air defense system and associated spare parts. These systems are used primarily for localized defense, particularly along Egypt’s borders,[101] complimenting Egypt's extensive arsenal of AmericanMIM-104F/PAC-3 Patriot batteries acquired in 1999.[102][103]
In 2025 Egypt confirmed acquiring China’s advancedHQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system. The system significantly enhances Egypt’s air defense capabilities by providing long-range coverage of up to 300 kilometers and the ability to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously, thanks to its advanced HT-233 3D phased-array radar. Its launchers carry a mix of smaller and larger missiles to address various aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and stealth targets. The system provides 360-degree radar coverage and cold-launch capability.[104][105]
Egyptian frigates, aFREMM (foreground) and aMEKO A200 (background), moored at the pier of the Gargoub naval base on the Mediterranean Sea.
Organized naval activity inEgypt can be traced to theEarly Dynastic period, around 2800 BCE, when the state developed rudimentary maritime capabilities to support transport, trade, and military expeditions along the Nile and adjacent coasts.
During the early modern period,Muhammad Ali, who becamewali in 1805, established autonomous rule over Egypt and initiated a broad program of state and military development. As part of his efforts to build an empire, he prioritized the creation of a strong military, beginning with the army and followed by the navy. At the outset of his rule, Egypt already possessed a rudimentary naval force primarily used for troop transport. Its first recorded deployment was during theWahhabi War, facilitating the movement of troops from Egypt toYanbu in the Hejaz.In 1815, Muhammad Ali established theAlexandria Shipyard to construct warships, marking a significant step toward naval modernization. By the time of theGreek War of Independence, the Egyptian Navy had expanded considerably, fielding more than 100 warships and several hundred transport vessels. In 1827, this fleet participated in theBattle of Navarino, a pivotal engagement during the war.Following World War II, elements of Egypt’s naval forces were stationed in theRed Sea, although the majority remained concentrated in the Mediterranean. The navy’s main headquarters and operational facilities are based at Ras el-Tin near Alexandria.
The Egyptian Navy also oversees theEgyptian Coast Guard, which is tasked with protecting coastal infrastructure and patrolling territorial waters to counter smuggling. According to the IISS Military Balance 2017, the Coast Guard comprised approximately 2,000 personnel, operating 14 fast patrol boats and 65 additional patrol vessels, including 15 Swiftships, 21Timsah-class, three Type-89s, and ninePeterson-class boats.[106]
Egyptian soldiers taking part in an amphibious assault exercise.
Since 2014, Egypt has undertaken a broad naval modernization program aimed at addressing structural limitations in its maritime capabilities and enhancing its ability to operate beyond territorial waters. This initiative has included significant investment in new platforms, infrastructure, and training, reflecting a shift toward developing a blue-water navy. Notable acquisitions includeMistral class amphibious assault ships,FREMM andMEKO A-200 frigates,Gowind class corvettes, andType 209 submarines, as well as utility helicopters and coastal patrol vessels.[107]
Egypt has also pursued domestic shipbuilding through technology transfer agreements and expanded its naval infrastructure with new bases such as Berenice on the Red Sea and Ras Gargoub on the Mediterranean. These efforts reflect a strategic emphasis on maritime power projection, logistical reach, and the defense of national maritime interests.[107]
Egypt also maintains 397,000paramilitary troops.[109] TheCentral Security Forces comes under the control of theMinistry of Interior. As of 2017, theEgyptian Border Guard Corps falls under the control of the Ministry of Interior as well. Circa 2020, according to theIISS Military Balance 2020, they comprised an estimated 12,000, in 18 border regiments, withlight weapons only (IISS 2020, p. 375). However, that listing of numbers has remained the same at least since the 2017 edition (p. 375).
Egyptian Mi-8 Hip helicopters after unloading troops
The inventory of the Egyptian Armed Forces comprises equipment originating from a diverse array of countries, including theUnited States,France,Russia,Germany,Brazil, theUnited Kingdom, theSoviet Union, and thePeople's Republic of China. This broad range of suppliers has posed challenges in terms of interoperability and maintenance. However, older systems are being gradually phased out in favor of more modern platforms acquired from multiple sources, with a substantial share produced under license in Egypt, most notably theM1A1 Abramstank.
In 2023 Egyptian company ACME SAICO released a C5ISR system designed to integrate and coordinate military platforms from both Western and Eastern origins. Developed to address the interoperability challenges of Egypt’s diverse arsenal, the platform uses real-time "interface layers" to translate data across incompatible systems. Already certified and operational within the Egyptian Armed Forces, the system has been integrated into all current air force aircraft and is being expanded to land and naval platforms. It builds on earlier iterations such as RISC3, and a more advanced C6ISR system is under joint development withLockheed Martin.[110]
TheMinistry of Military Production oversees a wide network of factories and companies, includingAbu Zaabal Specialized Industries, which manufactures ammunition and small arms;Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries, which produces artillery systems and shells; and theArmoured Production and Repair Factory, which builds and maintains armored vehicles such as theM1A1 Abrams,K9A1EGY,RAAD 200, andSinai 200. The Thales & Benha Electronics S.A.E. joint venture, formed betweenFrance’sThales Group and Benha Electronics, specializes in advanced communication systems, research, and training.[111] Meanwhile, theArab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) supervises multiple enterprises engaged in aerospace, electronics, vehicles, and armaments.[112] AOI’s subsidiaries includeKader for Developed Industries, which designs and manufactures armored vehicles; Sakr for Developed Industries, which produces missiles and rockets; and joint ventures such as Arab British Dynamics Co., which specializes in guided weaponry, and Arab American Vehicles Co., which assembles military and civilian vehicles. AOI also has a history of licensed aircraft production inHelwan, manufacturing theAlpha Jet andK-8E, and now seeks to replace these with theKAI T-50 Golden Eagle.[113]
Egypt is one of the few countries in theMiddle East to possess spy satellites, launchingEgyptSat 1 in 2007,[119] followed byEgyptSat 2 in 2014.[120] In 2019, Egypt launchedMisrSat-A, an observation satellite,[121] followed later that year by Tiba-1, a civilian and military communications satellite.[122][123] In 2023, Egypt launched Horus-1 and Horus-2, about a month apart. The country also placed MisrSat-2 into orbit later that year. All three of them are high-resolution observation satellites.[124][125][126] In 2024, two months after MisrSat-2’s launch, the country successfully completed the initial operational phase of NEXSAT-1, its first experimental Earth observation satellite, achieving milestones such as developing indigenous onboard software, advanced attitude-control systems, and independently capturing and processing satellite imagery, all of which marked a major step forward in Egypt’s national space capabilities.[127]
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^[1]Archived 2020-01-26 at theWayback Machine "The experience represents one of the most humiliating failures in Israeli modern history .. Analysis reveals there were three main factors that led to this stunning defeat."
^Robert Springborg, "Learning from Failure," 2010, 103;"Scenesetter: President Mubarak's visit to Washington (09CAIRO874)". US Department of State (cable). 2009-05-19.
^abMuhammed Gwady,The Road to Setback - Memoirs of Egyptian Military Leaders 1967 (ar: "الطريق إلى النكسة - مذكرات قادة العسكرية المصرية "1967), 2000 edition, 455 pages,Dar al-Khayal.
^Wade Boese, "U.S. Announces New Arms Sales to Middle East Worth Billions,"Arms Control Today, March 1999, www.armscontrol.org; Anthony Cordesman, "The Military Balance in the Middle East,"Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004.
Pollack, Kenneth M. (2002).Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948–91. Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press.ISBN0-8032-3733-2. See also book reviewed inInternational Security, Vol. 28, No. 2.
Rabinovich, Abraham (2004).The Yom Kippur War: The Epic Encounter That Transformed the Middle East. New York: Schocken Books.ISBN978-0-8052-4176-1.
Sandler, Stanley (2002).Ground Warfare: The International Encyclopedia Vol. 1.
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