El-Toudi: Egypt’s air defence system among most complex, integrated in the world
On the auspicious occasion of the 55th Air Defence Forces Day, Commander of the Air Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Yasser El-Toudi, delivered a powerful and reassuring message to the nation, noting that the “Air Defence heroes have written immortal heroic deeds in the Egyptian military’.
El-Toudi emphasised that the announcement of the completion of the missile defence wall along the Suez Canal front in June 1970 marked a decisive turning point, when air defence missiles began shooting down the latest enemy aircraft, in what came to be known as “Phantom Fall Week,” marking the birth of the “Fourth Force” of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
June 30 has become an official Armed Forces Day, commemorating this historic achievement that paved the way for the glorious October victories, he added.
El-Toudi paid tribute to the Air Defence personnel deployed throughout Egypt, emphasising that they shoulder the responsibility of defending the nation’s skies day and night, in peace and war, armed with knowledge, faith, and the latest systems. He also emphasised that the Air Defence Forces remain constantly on alert as guardians of the nation’s skies.
During the press conference, which the Egyptian Gazette attended, El-Toudi reviewed efforts made by the Air Defence Forces to protect the nation’s skies. He emphasised the constant combat readiness to confront any threats.
June 30th as the Air Defence Day
In response to a question about why June 30th was chosen as Air Defence Forces Day, El-Toudi explained that the date commemorates a historic event achieved by Air Defence personnel when the forces successfully shot down 12 Israeli Phantom and Skyhawk aircraft in a week dubbed “Phantom Down Week”.
The missile wall
Lieutenant General El-Toudi described the “Missile Wall” as an integrated combat formation comprising missile systems and anti-aircraft artillery, established in fortified positions under harsh combat conditions. This enabled the enemy to be deterred to accept the Rogers ceasefire initiative in August 1970.
Breaking the myth of Israel’s long arm
While reviewing the role of the Air Defence Forces in the October 1973 War, El-Toudi stated that the Air Defence Forces succeeded in shooting down 326 Israeli aircraft and capturing 22 pilots, paralysing the enemy’s air capabilities.
During the night of October 6-7, more than 25 Israeli aircraft were shot down, and a number of pilots were captured, forcing the enemy to withdraw its aircraft and keep them within 15 kilometres of the Suez Canal.
This prompted Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Dayan to publicly acknowledge, on October 14, 1973, that “the Israeli Air Force is fighting heavy battles in their days… heavy in their blood”.
Egyptian Air Defence system
El-Toudi emphasised that the Egyptian Air Defence system is among the most complex and integrated in the world, comprising various elements of radar and air surveillance equipment, as well as advanced command and control centres that co-operate with the air and naval forces and electronic warfare to ensure the detection and efficient handling of hostile threats.
Securing Egypt’s skies
The Lieutenant General explained that modern threats include stealth aircraft, drones, and hypersonic missiles, noting that the Egyptian response involves the use of multi-layered, multi-range defence systems, along with artificial intelligence and non-standard technologies such as electromagnetic pulse and laser systems.
Message to the Egyptian people
Lieutenant General El-Toudi reassured the Egyptian people that the Air Defence Forces are prepared at all times, operate according to precise plans that ensure the highest levels of readiness, and receive full support from the political leadership and the General Command of the Armed Forces. He emphasised that Air Defence personnel work day and night, in peace and war, to protect Egypt’s skies with loyalty and devotion.
International co-operation
The El-Toudi pointed to the expansion of co-operation with many brotherly and friendly countries through joint training exercises such as “Bright Star,” “Arrow of Friendship,” and “Cleopatra,” in addition to the exchange of expertise in the fields of armament, technical research, and operational planning to confront modern threats.
Building the Fighting Individual
He also explained that the human element is a top priority for the Air Defence Forces, through two parallel tracks: building the fighting personality intellectually and physically, and updating training and combatting curricula to suit the nature of modern warfare and its changes.
At the conclusion of the press conference, Lieutenant General El-Toudi renewed his pledge to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and General Abdel Majeed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stressing that the Air Defence Forces will remain the impregnable shield of the nation’s skies and will not cease modernising and developing to protect Egypt’s national security and capabilities.
