Egypt and Italy are looking at military cooperation .. Is the huge armament deal expected at a value exceeding 10 billion euros?
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August 1, 2025
On Wednesday, July 30th, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El -Sisi received Italian Defense Minister Guido Krossito in Cairo, where the two sides discussed ways to enhance military cooperation between the two countries, in addition to developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the presidency of the Egyptian Republic.
The Egyptian Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Abdel Majid Saqr, participated in the meeting, where the meeting dealt with "ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and Italy in various fields, especially in the military and security fields", in light of the growing strategic relations between the two countries at the two and regional levels.
The meeting also touched on the file of illegal immigration, where the Italian minister expressed his country's appreciation for the Egyptian efforts that have continued since 2016 to reduce the launch of irregular migrants from the Egyptian coast towards Europe, which contributed to significantly reducing immigration flows towards Italy.
Regarding the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, the two parties stressed "the need to reach an immediate ceasefire, and the urgent action to end the human suffering experienced by the residents of the Strip, as well as the importance of intensifying efforts to secure the release of hostages and detainees, and start the reconstruction process."
These consultations come within the framework of intense Egyptian diplomatic moves, as Cairo plays a pivotal role alongside Qatar and the United States in mediation between Israel and Hamas, in an effort to reach a truce agreement that ends the worsening conflict and reduces the humanitarian catastrophe that the sector has witnessed for months.
A huge armament deal between Egypt and Italy exceeding 10 billion euros?
In light of increasing but unconfirmed indicators, military and media circles are circulating information about a huge armament deal between Egypt and Italy, which may exceed 10 billion euros, and aims - if completed - to make a qualitative shift in the capabilities of the Egyptian navy and air forces.
The deal includes six frigates of the "Freem Bergamini", along with twenty-four fighters, "Eurofighter Typhoon", and twenty Fire of "Flac 2" missiles, which are expected to manufacture in the Alexandria marine arsenal. The deal also includes a number of planes designated for training and light-mild attack from the Irmaki M-346, in addition to a military satellite, in addition to a military satellite, in addition to a military satellite For surveillance and monitoring purposes, another deal includes more than twenty AW149 helicopters, dedicated to transportation and support services.
There are those who see that this deal came as a reaction to the stumbling of some deals with the French side, but the facts indicate that negotiating this system of contracts dates back to 2014, that is, they were taking place in parallel with the French deals, most of which were already implemented. Accordingly, this deal represents an extension of a long path of military modernization, no improvised step.
In the event that this deal is implemented within three to five years, the Egyptian naval fleet will be qualified to move from just a coastal force to a marine force of deep water, which will enable Egypt to carry out marine tasks in the remote oceans and seas, and may qualify it in the future to possess a large aircraft carrier. Such pregnant women always require the support of frigates and support ships that accompany her in their combat missions, which will provide this new system of naval pieces. Certainly, this deal will be accompanied by other deals related to joint industrialization within Egypt, which enhances the state's capabilities in the field of local military manufacturing.
As for the air force, the joining of European Typhoon fighters will add a new dimension to its combat capabilities. Egypt has an unparalleled air form that brings together Western and Eastern schools, starting from American F-16s and French Fraal, through the Russian Mig-29, and ending with European timing. With the possibilities of joining new Chinese fighters, including the modern Ghinetic G-35, Egypt will be the only country in the world that collects this amount of diversity in its air fleet, which makes it difficult for any opponent to predict the pattern of attack or Egyptian defense, due to the variation of the characteristics and specifications of these aircraft. Each plane has its advantages, its radar imprint, its range and operational height, which gives the Egyptian Air Force great flexibility in planning and implementation. For example, the Rafale is ideal for tasks near the ground, while Typhoon excels in tasks over high altitudes.
