Sisi Inaugurates First Egypt International Airshow in Alamein

Sisi inaugurates Egypt’s International Aviation and Space Exhibition in New Alamein City. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi inaugurates Egypt’s International Aviation and Space Exhibition in New Alamein City. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi Inaugurates First Egypt International Airshow in Alamein

Sisi inaugurates Egypt’s International Aviation and Space Exhibition in New Alamein City. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi inaugurates Egypt’s International Aviation and Space Exhibition in New Alamein City. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated on Tuesday the first International Aviation and Space Exhibition at Alamein International Airport. The event drew broad participation from companies and experts in the aviation, space, and defense sectors.

Recognized as the largest exhibition of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, the event aims to support the development of manufacturing and digitization in aviation, defense, and space industries, while showcasing technological advancements in these fields, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The three-day show, held in the northern New Alamein City, features more than 300 companies and entities from 100 countries, said Colonel Arkan Harb Gharib Abdel Hafez Gharib, spokesman for the Egyptian Armed Forces.

The exhibition boasts aerial shows by aircraft from various countries. According to the event organizers, the shows feature aircraft such as the UAE’s Type 200 and F-60, Saudi Arabia’s Eurofighter Typhoon, France’s Rafale, the US F-16, Italy’s Air Machi and others.

For the first time, Chinese Y-20 transport aircraft is participating in an international aviation exhibition outside of China.

Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Samih Al-Hefni described the event as a “unique platform to boost international cooperation in the aviation industry.”

In a statement, he said the exhibition gathers leading global agencies and institutions involved in space technology and aviation, showcasing the latest technological advancements in the sector.

Brigadier General Dr. Hisham Al-Halabi, an advisor at the Egyptian Military Academy, pointed to Egypt’s previous hosting of several editions of the International Defense Exhibition (EDEX), stressing that these events “reflect the country’s growing capacity to host specialized international exhibitions.”

Egypt has held three editions of EDEX, with the most recent taking place in December 2023.

Sisi and dignitaries pose for a photo during the inauguration of the exhibition. (Egyptian Presidency)

On the sidelines of the International Airshow, Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production unveiled two armored vehicles, the ST100 and ST500. According to the ministry, the vehicles were produced in Egypt with 50% local components, and are 100% Egyptian in design, assembly, and execution.

The armored vehicles are resistant to mines and ambushes, capable of performing multiple tasks, and can be equipped for missions ranging from attack and intervention to reconnaissance, surveillance, and ambulance services.

Brigadier General Dr. Mohammed Qashqoush, an advisor at the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, said the exhibition has two primary objectives: advancing the aviation and space technology industries and fostering international cooperation in defense, particularly in aviation and air defense.

He highlighted the global participation in the exhibition, noting that it embodies multilateral partnerships, especially with countries like the United States and France, which are key contributors to Egypt’s aviation fleet, alongside China, Russia, India, and several Arab nations.

During the first day of the exhibition, Egypt’s Arab Organization for Industrialization signed an agreement with China’s ELINC to produce advanced defense systems. Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed with US Honeywell to certify the organization’s engine factory as an approved maintenance center for aircraft engines.



Israel Says it Killed a Hezbollah Member in Drone Strike in South Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
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Israel Says it Killed a Hezbollah Member in Drone Strike in South Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)

An Israeli drone strike hit a car in south Lebanon on Saturday, killing one person who the Israeli military said was a member of Hezbollah.

State-run National News Agency did not give further details about the strike in the village of Bourj el-Mlouk.

The airstrike was the latest in a wave of such attacks since a US-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late November ending the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war.

The Israeli military said the Hezbollah member who was killed was active in the border village of Kfar Kila.

The strike came a day after Lebanon’s military court sentenced two people to prison terms for giving digital information to Israel.

Four judicial officials told The Associated Press Saturday that one of those sentenced received a 15-year prison term while the other was sentenced to 10 years in jail. A third was set free for lack of evidence against him, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share information with the media.

The officials said the two scanned the cellular telephones network in wide areas of Beirut and its southern suburbs that is home to Hezbollah’s headquarters using sophisticated equipment.

The officials said the two, who were detained last year, also supplied Israel with about 1,500 photographs from Beirut’s southern suburbs.