By Sarah Saad
Egypt’s defence industry has made significant strides in 2023, with the development of new weapons and equipment that are helping modernise the country’s Armed Forces.
For this reason, the Egyptian Mail has been keen to monitor Egypt’s defence and military industries during 2023.
This report will throw light on new weapons and equipment, from ground vehicles to industrial and technical development, air defence, naval defence, shipbuilding, maintenance and repair, cyber security, missile systems, autonomous and unmanned systems, parachuting, airdrops, satellite communications, search and rescue systems, surveillance systems, tactical equipment, training and simulation equipment.
Al-Gabbar MEKO A200
The Egyptian Navy announced the launch of Al-Gabbar MEKO A200 frigate. It equipment manufactured at the Alexandria Shipyard by Egyptians. Three frigates of the Gowind type were manufactured at the same shipyard in co-operation with France.
Al-Gabbar MEKO A200 is a multi-purpose frigate with medium displacement and heavy armament. It includes the latest marine technologies.
In addition, MEKO was designed from special materials and composition to be classified as a stealth ship.
It has a German design that is manufactured by Egyptians 100%. The next version of the upcoming Egypt Defence Expo is expected to be 100% Egyptian.
The frigate provides support for Special Forces in search, rescue and humanitarian operations. The MEKO frigate is an ideal model for the early warning system.
The design of the frigate is characterised by its stealth, high sailing abilities and the operation of boats and helicopters in various weather and maritime conditions. The frigate is characterised by the ability to carry two helicopters.
Egyptian Navy Shipyard
The Egyptian Navy Shipyard has unveiled six new naval units, including the Swift-28 landing craft. Eleven units and another six units are being produced in co-operation with the American company Swift.
A Rafale 1200 RIB, which is suitable for use by the Navy’s Special Forces, was also produced in co-operation with the French side. Twenty units have been produced and another five units are in the making.
The shipyard also unveiled the Freedom 2 ship, a challenging mission for the shipyard’s capabilities because it includes moving platforms and handling equipment, which require high precision in manufacturing and installation.
The shipyard also displayed the Voith Schneider and Azimuth tugboats, the first of which is used for towing and manoeuvring ships inside ports, in addition to rescue and fire fighting operations.
The second tugboat is characterised by its strength, durability, manoeuvrability, and operation by a small number of crew members.
The Egyptian Navy Shipyard is one of the largest in the Arab and African regions. It witnessed significant developments under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
In 2016, the shipyard signed its first contract to build three Gowind-class frigates at the Alexandria Shipyard. Building warships is a very complex industry that requires special skills.
The Alexandria Shipyard was founded in 1831 and then re-established in 1962 to be a modern and integrated shipyard for building and repairing ships on the Mediterranean Sea.
The shipyard’s responsibility was moved to the Ministry of Defence in 2007 under the management of the Naval Industries and Services Authority.
The shipyard’s equipment, workshops, and shipbuilding and repair yards were upgraded in 2015, increasing its annual production capacity. This aimed to make it capable of taking the lead in the field of shipbuilding and repair in the Mediterranean Sea.
Training and reconnaissance aircraft
The Air Force has developed a training aircraft that combines training, reconnaissance, and armed reconnaissance. The same aircraft is also capable of carrying out operational tasks with high accuracy and efficiency.
The development of this aircraft was carried out by the Air Force in co-operation with a local company on the road to producing the best model for training and reconnaissance.
Fire control system for armoured vehicles, tanks
The Arab International Optical Company, affiliated with the National Service Projects Authority, announced the fire control system for armoured vehicles and tanks.
It is a 100% Egyptian-designed and manufactured system. It is a digital integrated system that makes it easy to modify or add other features, according to the requirements of implementing operational tasks.
The digital fire control computer takes into account several factors such as the distance to the target projectile, and other air effects. The ballistic computer is considered a platform to compensate for the factors affecting the projectile’s motion. It works by calculating the factors and makes the aiming correct automatically to ensure reaching the target.
Sina 200
The Egyptian Ministry of Military Production produced the first three “Sina 200” vehicles. These vehicles are a strong addition to the Egyptian Army’s arsenal, as they were designed and developed entirely in Egypt, in addition to their advanced features.
The idea of designing and implementing the armoured vehicle was implemented in accordance with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who requested the development of armoured vehicles to suit advanced operational uses.
The Sina 200 vehicle is characterised by a high level of protection, as it is classified as level 4 according to the STANAG 4579 standards. It is also equipped with protection against mines, and an additional net can be installed on its sides to provide additional protection against rocket-propelled grenades. It is also a platform for launching missiles, used in electronic warfare, command and control, and ammunition carrier.
New anti-drone device
The Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) has launched the DJ-400V anti-drone jamming device that is mounted on vehicles.
This device was designed in response to the increasing threats posed by small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These aircraft are widely used in both civilian and military fields, making the development of effective solutions to address their threats essential.
The DJ-400V works to neutralise the threats posed by small and ultra-small aircraft by disabling their data link and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. This capability is essential to mitigate the risks posed by these aircraft in various environments. It can also be customised in accordance with the requirements of the users.
The DJ-400V jamming device works effectively within a range using an undirected antenna. This feature allows it to secure a circle with a diametre of 4 km, providing strong defence against drone attacks from all directions. The DJ-400V is designed to operate in all weather conditions.
It works by jamming to disrupt the communication between the drone and its remote control device. These devices can also control those drones by disabling and jamming them through different frequencies. The high-quality electromagnetic pulse generation system is one of the achievements of pure Egyptian minds and works on a vehicle carrying an anti-drone system.
South Korean K-9 howitzer
The Egyptian Armed Forces displayed the South Korean K-9 howitzer at the EDEX 2023 exhibition. The K-9 is a self-propelled howitzer that was manufactured in Egypt in co-operation with Hanwha Defence, South Korea. The howitser is named “Thunder” and is a 155mm calibre gun. The gun is characterised by its ability to withstand the effects of heavy artillery fire and chemical and biological attacks.
The Crocodile Family
Egypt highlighted its advanced manufacturing capabilities in the field of armoured vehicles at the opening of the EDEX 2023 International Defence and Military Industries Exhibition. It unveiled 12 new vehicles designed and manufactured by Egyptian hands and expertise at the Military Engineering Complex.
The new vehicles include the Crocodile 3, Crocodile 4 and Sherpa, which are vehicles equipped with self-propelled launching platforms mounted with machine guns of various calibres, as well as night vision devices.
The Crocodile 3 vehicle was designed in co-operation with an American company on a Hummer 44 chassis, while the Crocodile 4 vehicle was designed in co-operation with the German company Mercedes on a Mercedes 44 chassis. The Sherpa vehicle was manufactured in Egypt, which was designed in cooperation with the French company Arquus on a Renault 4×4 chassis.
The Crocodile Light Vehicle is a 4×4 personnel carrier with a crew of 5. Its maximum speed is 165 km/h and its maximum range is 650 km. It has a weapon base according to the type. It also has a level of ballistic protection BR6, as well as 3 side and rear firing ports and heavy-duty air conditioning.
Air-dropped ammunition (Hafez family)
These are free bombs weighing up to (2000 pounds), with the ability to penetrate reinforced concrete, produced in co-operation between the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation and the Egyptian Air Force.
Mobile multi-purpose automatic
command and control centre
This is a centre for controlling the operations of combat forces and securing airspace, borders and important installations. The automatic command and control centre was designed and manufactured locally by 100%, produced by the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation.
Qader-1
Armoured riot control vehicle, the vehicle was produced in the factories of the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation and for the first time in Egypt at the (B4) protection level and was equipped with many equipment in accordance with the demands of the Ministry of Interior.
Egyptian radiation detection and measurement device
Two models of the device were produced by the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, one of which serves military uses up to the level of the unit and its equivalent, and the other serves civilian sectors in ports, border crossings and airports to detect radiation from imports.
Manufacture of aircraft parts
A joint co-operation between the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation and Dassault France, some aircraft parts were manufactured inside the facilities of the organisation for the benefit of Dassault, and this is a qualification step to enter the global supply chain system for aircraft manufacturing.
Ra’ad 200
The first Egyptian missile launcher “Ra’ad 200”, the missile launcher was designed and manufactured with Egyptian hands in the factories of the Ministry of Military Production, it is equipped with a HD12 ZLG-M engine with a power of 385 horsepower, and carries a 122 mm rocket launcher, which is controlled internally, which provides protection for the users.
The Ra’ad 200 launcher is characterised by a system for multiple or single firing, and the launcher has been successfully tested.
The Ra’ad 200 launcher is an important addition to the Egyptian weapons arsenal, as it gives the Egyptian army the ability to launch multiple missile attacks on long-range targets with high accuracy.
Ship repair and construction
The Egyptian Company for Ship Repair and Construction, affiliated to the Marine Industries and Services Authority of the Ministry of Defence, announced the manufacture of a fast coastal patrol boat with a design that allows the use of all maritime border security and combating marine pollution violations, and is characterised by a speed of up to 40 knots with a cruising range of 200 nautical miles, as well as it is characterised by ease of maintenance and lightness, as it is made entirely of marine aluminium.
As for the marine dredger, it was manufactured in co-operation with IHC of the Netherlands, to implement all dredging and dredging works, and is also characterised by a dredging depth of up to 14 metres in order to facilitate navigation operations for all types of ships.
The company revealed the manufacture of a marine tug, which is a type of marine unit that performs manoeuvres for other ships that are limited in their ability to manoeuvre on their own by pushing or towing them and is used in fire fighting operations in ports.
It was designed to achieve maximum efficiency when towing, pushing, accompanying and assisting in manoeuvring large ships, and is characterised by its ability to manoeuvre precisely and safe operation.
It also manufactured a guidance boat, which is one of the most important marine units in the marine ports and is used to transport marine pilots from ports to ships that need guidance, and is characterized by its high manoeuvrability and handling of all types of ships and working in different operating conditions.
Personal protection equipment and military fabrics
The National Egyptian Company for Industrial Development and Development, affiliated to the National Service Projects Authority affiliated to the Ministry of Defence, announced the production of personal protection equipment with global specifications, fire resistant, treated against infrared radiation, treated against bacteria and fungi.
The spinning sector, which consists of three main factories, also produces different types of yarns at the highest levels of global quality according to the international OSTER standards.
Guardian to counter drones
The Guardian 1 system is an integrated system of detection and counter-measures for small and micro-UAVs. Guardian 1 was designed to detect guided drones radar and electronically, confirm and identify targets using an integrated electro-optical system, and then select the appropriate countermeasure from a variety of countermeasure means.
Guardian 1 is characterised by the fact that its subsystems are equipped on a van, which qualifies it for use in protecting vital targets with high efficiency and flexibility, and it also has a three-dimensional radar and a 200 MHz frequency band for the wireless direction finder.
As for Guardian 2, it is an integrated system of detection and counter-measures for small and micro-UAVs. Guardian 2 was designed to detect guided drones radar and electronically, confirm and identify targets using an integrated electro-optical system, and then select the appropriate countermeasure from a number of negative/positive countermeasure means.
The Guardian 2 system is characterized by the fact that all of its subsystems are equipped on a FAHD armoured vehicle, which qualifies it for use in protecting forces in combat fields with high efficiency and flexibility. It also has a two-dimensional radar system and a 200 MHz frequency band for the wireless direction finder.
As for Guardian 3, it was designed to detect guided drones radar and electronically, confirm and identify targets using an integrated electro-optical system, and then select the appropriate countermeasure from a number of negative/positive countermeasure means. It is also equipped with all of its subsystems on a ST-500 armoured vehicle, which qualifies it for use in protecting forces in combat fields with high efficiency and flexibility.
Detection and countermeasure means are integrated through a command centre that allows its systems to work in harmony to detect and counter guided drones.
Guardian 4 also has a two-dimensional radar and a 200 MHz frequency band for the wireless direction finder.
Helicopter Maintenance Centre
The Helwan Advanced Industries Factory is making a distinctive mark in the work of establishing two new international helicopter maintenance centres, one specialising in the maintenance of Eastern aircraft and the other Western.
It is worth mentioning that the Helwan Advanced Industries Factory is specialised in the maintenance of helicopters, after obtaining licenses to carry out maintenance from the manufacturers of these aircraft models to be a global certificate that Egypt owns the latest two helicopter maintenance centres in the region and the world.
The factory is considered a development of the aircraft maintenance hangar in the factory, which has been developed and updated from top to bottom to become one of the latest aircraft maintenance centres in the world, and is currently working on the extended inspection of the Gazelle helicopter model.
Maintenance work includes dismantling and assembling aircraft, conducting an extensive inspection of their parts to identify any parts that need repair, maintenance, and replacement, as well as ground work, calibration, and testing. Aircraft maintenance work in Egypt is carried out in co-operation with the aircraft manufacturers, with training and testing for Egyptian technical crews, theoretical and practical tests, and then the license to carry out maintenance locally.
The factory is also seeking to carry out maintenance for the Apache model because there is a desire to carry out maintenance for all Egyptian helicopters in Egypt.
Egyptian Unmanned Aircraft
These include the Taba 1 and Taba 2 target aircraft, the Ahmose unmanned aircraft, the June 30 aircraft, and the October 6 aircraft.
