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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)
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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.

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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.