Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, oversaw on Wednesday the main phase of the live-fire tactical exercise “Badr 2026,” carried out by one of the units of the Third Field Army.
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa, attended the event, alongside commanders of the main branches, a number of governors, members of the House of Representatives and Senate, senior military commanders, cadets of military colleges, media representatives, and Egyptian university students.
During the event, Commander of the Third Field Army Major General Ahmed Mahdy Sarhan said the army continues to exert maximum efforts to maintain the highest levels of combat preparedness and operational efficiency, enabling soldiers to carry out all missions assigned to them in defence of the nation’s security and safety.
The main phase of the exercise began with a presentation outlining the tactical concept and previous stages of the operation. Activities included combat management to develop the attack with support from elements of the Egyptian Air Force, which conducted reconnaissance, protection, and support sorties.
Operations were carried out under the cover of air defence systems and artillery fire aimed at suppressing and destroying enemy defences, neutralising fire positions, and disrupting reserve movements.
Armoured and mechanised units were then deployed to attack hostile defences, engage enemy positions, and destroy targets with support from armed helicopters and anti-tank guided missile teams to repel counterattacks.
Special forces elements from the Egyptian Airborne Forces and Egyptian Thunderbolt Forces also carried out airborne insertion and raid operations against identified targets.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Minister Zaher conveyed to the army personnel the greetings and appreciation of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, commending the efforts of military officers in carrying out all assigned duties.
He affirmed that the Armed Forces continue to preserve and modernise their combat systems, weapons, and equipment, while prioritising the development of a well-rounded and highly trained soldier in line with the most advanced training methods.
The minister stressed that the Armed Forces, with their broad capabilities and specialised branches, remain fully capable of safeguarding the homeland and protecting its sanctities amid regional challenges. He praised the high readiness and precision demonstrated by the participating forces, stressing that the activities conducted during the exercise send a reassuring message to the Egyptian people regarding the military’s readiness to defend national security across all strategic directions.
In a related context, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces also attended one of the exercise phases involving the assault on the forward edge of enemy defences with support from the Egyptian Air Force. CoS Khalifa discussed with several commanders and officers the planning and management of missions, as well as methods used in responding to emergency tactical scenarios that may arise during combat operations.
