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.



Heads of CIA, MI6 Issue Joint Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

Displaced woman Iqbal Al-Zeidi stands in front of her tent which was torn by an Israeli strike, on the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Displaced woman Iqbal Al-Zeidi stands in front of her tent which was torn by an Israeli strike, on the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
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Heads of CIA, MI6 Issue Joint Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

Displaced woman Iqbal Al-Zeidi stands in front of her tent which was torn by an Israeli strike, on the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Displaced woman Iqbal Al-Zeidi stands in front of her tent which was torn by an Israeli strike, on the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed

The heads of the American and British foreign intelligence agencies said Saturday they are “working ceaselessly” for a ceasefire in Gaza, using a rare joint public statement to press for peace.

CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore said their agencies had “exploited our intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation.”

In an opinion piece for the Financial Times, the two spymasters said a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war “could end the suffering and appalling loss of life of Palestinian civilians and bring home the hostages after 11 months of hellish confinement.”

Burns has been heavily involved in efforts to broker an end to the fighting, traveling to Egypt in August for high-level talks aimed at bringing about a hostage deal and at least a temporary halt to the conflict.

So far there has been no agreement, though United States officials insist a deal is close.

Burns and Moore also stressed the strength of the trans-Atlantic relationship in the face of “an unprecedented array of threats,” including an assertive Russia, an ever-more powerful China and the constant threat from international terrorism — all complicated by rapid technological change.

They highlighted Russia’s “reckless campaign of sabotage” across Europe and the “cynical use of technology to spread lies and disinformation designed to drive wedges between us.”

The article is the first joint opinion piece by the heads of the two spy agencies. The two directors pointed to a new era of openness in their secretive field, noting that the CIA and MI6 both declassified intelligence about Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine before Moscow attacked its neighbor in February 2022.