Watandar
Trusted Member
This is the sick mentality of Israelis. War is always their first option. They have been relentlessly attacking the Palestinians and all other natives since their arrival from Europe in 1919.
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The Egyptian-Turkish alliance.. Cairo and Ankara are moving towards a new Middle East through the “KAAN” stealth aircraft project
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The SC
INT'L MOD
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- #137
Türkiye and Egypt open an official channel for defense industrial cooperation in a remarkable shift in bilateral relations
Turkey and Egypt opened an official channel for cooperation in the field of defense industries, after the Turkish Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) hosted the Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production, Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, on a visit to Ankara that constituted a prominent station in the path of rapprochement between the two countries.
The head of Turkish defense industries, Professor Haluk Gurgun, explained that the two sides discussed during the meeting opportunities for cooperation in the field of defense industry, in addition to ways to develop joint capabilities. The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of intent that is expected to form the regulating framework for cooperation between the two sides in the next stage.
This announcement places the Presidency of Defense Industries at the heart of a new phase of Turkish-Egyptian rapprochement, not limited to the purchasing side only. Gorgon's reference to developing joint capabilities opens the door to a broader industrial agenda, which may include production planning, technical cooperation, logistical support, supply of subsystems and munitions, platform integration, and long-term program management.
This institutional dimension gives the visit a clear industrial and defensive character. Political normalization between Ankara and Cairo has already made advanced strides, and military communication between the two sides has witnessed a noticeable escalation in the recent period. The path of the Presidency of Defense Industries adds a third layer to this relationship, which is the defense industrial planning layer, which, if it deepens, may move the relationship from the stage of diplomatic reform to the stage of practical cooperation in capacity building.
The Memorandum of Intent should be read as an early framework document, rather than a final contractual package, as no specific programmes, quantities, delivery schedules or industrial roles are yet defined. Its importance lies in establishing an official channel through which the two countries' defense institutions can evaluate future projects.
The timing of the visit carries additional significance, as it came after a period of concrete military communication between the two countries. Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Egypt recently carried out the “Three Eagles” training in Konya, while the Turkish and Egyptian special forces conducted joint operational training in Egypt within the framework of the “Golden Eagle.” Although these activities do not in themselves constitute a military alliance, they reflect the rebuilding of operational communication in parallel with the path of political normalization.
The visit was not limited to the defense industrial track, as Zahir also held talks with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, which gave the visit a broader military and strategic context. However, the Defense Industries Presidency meeting is of particular importance because it directs the relationship towards concrete industrial mechanisms, as defense cooperation becomes more sustainable when it is based on production planning, maintenance structures, supply chains, and joint roadmaps for capacity building.
For Turkey, Egypt represents a potential partner with great strategic weight, as it possesses one of the largest armies in the region, a vast defense market, and a well-established military production base, in addition to its strategic location overlooking the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, North Africa, and the Arab world. Thus, cooperation with Cairo may provide Turkish defense companies not only with a promising market, but also with an industrial and geographical bridge towards broader regional demand.
As for Egypt, the Turkish defense industry offers a different added value, as Turkish companies have expanded at a rapid pace in the fields of unmanned systems, armored vehicles, naval platforms, guided munitions, air defense, electronic warfare, command and control software, and ammunition production. This cooperation with Ankara could support Cairo's long-term goal of increasing domestic defense production and diversifying external sources of supply.
Hence, the defense industries channel gains its importance, as it gives the normalization path a tangible, material dimension. Joint capacity development, if it actually advances, would create bureaucratic, industrial, and military linkages that are more difficult to undo than diplomatic gestures alone. This meeting also confirms the pivotal role of the Presidency of Defense Industries in Turkish industrial diplomacy, and at the same time shows that Ankara and Cairo are moving beyond the normalization stage towards selective defense cooperation.
The SC
INT'L MOD
- Thread starter
- #138
The Egyptian flag on “Kizilelma”.. Is Egypt close to obtaining the latest Turkish Baykar technology?
Egyptian-Turkish defense cooperation is entering a new phase.. The Minister of Defense’s visit to Baykar raises questions about the future of the military partnership.
Arab Defense Website - July 20, 2026: The visit of Egyptian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher to Turkey is no longer read as a diplomatic or protocol station. Rather, observers considered it a clear indication of the transition of military relations between Cairo and Ankara to a more advanced stage, after it included a tour inside a center belonging to Baykar, the largest Turkish company specialized in developing and producing drones, in addition to signing a letter of intent for defense cooperation, in a step that reflects the transition of relations from the consultation stage to the construction stage. A deeper military partnership.
Experts believe that the inclusion of Baykar in the Egyptian Defense Minister’s visit program was not unusual, given the position the company occupies as the face of the Turkish defense industries in recent years. The appearance of the Egyptian flag on a special display screen of the Kızılelma jet drone platform also sparked widespread interest in Turkish and international media, and opened the door to speculation about the messages that the company wanted to convey through this scene.
Although no official announcement has been issued yet regarding concluding arms deals between the two countries, official statements confirmed that the visit included reviewing the latest military technologies, in addition to discussing areas of cooperation in defense industries and joint military manufacturing, which analysts consider an exploratory stage that may pave the way in the future for programs to transfer expertise, manufacturing, or joint development.
The timing of the visit is of particular importance, as it came after a series of mutual military activities between the two countries, which included joint training and mutual visits between the leadership of the armed forces, leading up to the “Golden Eagle 2026” maneuvers, which reflects a gradual path that goes beyond political coordination to include operational and industrial cooperation in the defense field.
Experts point out that these moves may represent a prelude to moving to the stage of concluding official deals, especially in light of the Egyptian interest in systems that have proven effective in the fields of reconnaissance, precision strikes, and network warfare, as well as artificial intelligence technologies and management of combat drone swarms developed by Baykar.
Observers confirm that the importance of the visit does not lie only in the possibility of purchasing a specific military system, but rather in enhancing the image of cooperation between Cairo and Ankara in the defense industries sector, at a time when the region is witnessing an accelerating race towards possessing advanced military technology.
In their reading of the backgrounds of this rapprochement, experts believe that the regional security environment is witnessing radical transformations as a result of escalating tensions and wars, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean, or the Gulf, which is pushing the countries of the region to enhance their defense capabilities, secure their borders, and build new military partnerships. They believe that the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement comes in this context, especially after years of apathy, with a common vision based on expanding areas of security and military cooperation.
Experts also point out that Turkey has been able, in recent years, to develop its defense industries significantly, after the restrictions imposed by the United States on the export of some weapons and military equipment to it, which led Ankara to achieve a great deal of self-sufficiency, before it turned into a defense partner for a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Syria, and it is likely that Egypt will join this path through a more serious partnership.
Despite this, experts believe that Egyptian-Turkish relations have not yet reached the level of a full military alliance, because building such a level of relations requires time and the consolidation of trust and common interests between the two sides. They point out that the regional scene has changed significantly compared to previous years, especially in the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Syria, where there has become a greater convergence of views, which has been reflected in the development of security relations in a tangible way.
Regarding the possibility of transferring military technology, experts point out that Cairo places the localization of defense industries and technology transfer among its priorities in any new military cooperation, considering that Turkey appears open to this trend, as it relies in its defense partnerships on the principle of industrial cooperation more than just selling military equipment, which has previously appeared in its cooperation with a number of Arab countries.
Ankara also views defense partnerships as a means to enhance the security and stability of the region, and it prefers to build relationships based on joint production and exchange of experiences, benefiting from its experience in developing its military industries after years of dependence on Western suppliers.
As for the American position, the noticeable improvement in relations between Ankara and Washington, as well as between Cairo and Washington, may contribute to creating a more suitable environment for the development of Egyptian-Turkish cooperation, especially in light of the United States’ need to maintain a wide network of allies in the region.
On the other hand, experts refused to interpret the military rapprochement between Egypt and Turkey as directed against Israel, stressing that the primary goal is to enhance the defense capabilities of each country and secure its national interests in light of a turbulent regional environment. They point out that any country in the region seeks to strengthen its military capabilities to protect its national security, and not necessarily to enter into a confrontation with a specific party, even if regional developments force all parties to re-evaluate their security and defense policies.
Egyptian-Turkish defense cooperation is entering a new phase.. The Minister of Defense’s visit to Baykar raises questions about the future of the military partnership.
Arab Defense Website - July 20, 2026: The visit of Egyptian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher to Turkey is no longer read as a diplomatic or protocol station. Rather, observers considered it a clear indication of the transition of military relations between Cairo and Ankara to a more advanced stage, after it included a tour inside a center belonging to Baykar, the largest Turkish company specialized in developing and producing drones, in addition to signing a letter of intent for defense cooperation, in a step that reflects the transition of relations from the consultation stage to the construction stage. A deeper military partnership.
Experts believe that the inclusion of Baykar in the Egyptian Defense Minister’s visit program was not unusual, given the position the company occupies as the face of the Turkish defense industries in recent years. The appearance of the Egyptian flag on a special display screen of the Kızılelma jet drone platform also sparked widespread interest in Turkish and international media, and opened the door to speculation about the messages that the company wanted to convey through this scene.
Although no official announcement has been issued yet regarding concluding arms deals between the two countries, official statements confirmed that the visit included reviewing the latest military technologies, in addition to discussing areas of cooperation in defense industries and joint military manufacturing, which analysts consider an exploratory stage that may pave the way in the future for programs to transfer expertise, manufacturing, or joint development.
The timing of the visit is of particular importance, as it came after a series of mutual military activities between the two countries, which included joint training and mutual visits between the leadership of the armed forces, leading up to the “Golden Eagle 2026” maneuvers, which reflects a gradual path that goes beyond political coordination to include operational and industrial cooperation in the defense field.
Experts point out that these moves may represent a prelude to moving to the stage of concluding official deals, especially in light of the Egyptian interest in systems that have proven effective in the fields of reconnaissance, precision strikes, and network warfare, as well as artificial intelligence technologies and management of combat drone swarms developed by Baykar.
Observers confirm that the importance of the visit does not lie only in the possibility of purchasing a specific military system, but rather in enhancing the image of cooperation between Cairo and Ankara in the defense industries sector, at a time when the region is witnessing an accelerating race towards possessing advanced military technology.
In their reading of the backgrounds of this rapprochement, experts believe that the regional security environment is witnessing radical transformations as a result of escalating tensions and wars, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean, or the Gulf, which is pushing the countries of the region to enhance their defense capabilities, secure their borders, and build new military partnerships. They believe that the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement comes in this context, especially after years of apathy, with a common vision based on expanding areas of security and military cooperation.
Experts also point out that Turkey has been able, in recent years, to develop its defense industries significantly, after the restrictions imposed by the United States on the export of some weapons and military equipment to it, which led Ankara to achieve a great deal of self-sufficiency, before it turned into a defense partner for a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Syria, and it is likely that Egypt will join this path through a more serious partnership.
Despite this, experts believe that Egyptian-Turkish relations have not yet reached the level of a full military alliance, because building such a level of relations requires time and the consolidation of trust and common interests between the two sides. They point out that the regional scene has changed significantly compared to previous years, especially in the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Syria, where there has become a greater convergence of views, which has been reflected in the development of security relations in a tangible way.
Regarding the possibility of transferring military technology, experts point out that Cairo places the localization of defense industries and technology transfer among its priorities in any new military cooperation, considering that Turkey appears open to this trend, as it relies in its defense partnerships on the principle of industrial cooperation more than just selling military equipment, which has previously appeared in its cooperation with a number of Arab countries.
Ankara also views defense partnerships as a means to enhance the security and stability of the region, and it prefers to build relationships based on joint production and exchange of experiences, benefiting from its experience in developing its military industries after years of dependence on Western suppliers.
As for the American position, the noticeable improvement in relations between Ankara and Washington, as well as between Cairo and Washington, may contribute to creating a more suitable environment for the development of Egyptian-Turkish cooperation, especially in light of the United States’ need to maintain a wide network of allies in the region.
On the other hand, experts refused to interpret the military rapprochement between Egypt and Turkey as directed against Israel, stressing that the primary goal is to enhance the defense capabilities of each country and secure its national interests in light of a turbulent regional environment. They point out that any country in the region seeks to strengthen its military capabilities to protect its national security, and not necessarily to enter into a confrontation with a specific party, even if regional developments force all parties to re-evaluate their security and defense policies.
Watandar
Trusted Member
Some must be unhappy about this Egypt-Turkey alliance, hence the article published in NYT.
Gay-Themed Mediterranean Cruise Turned Away From Turkey and Then Egypt
In both Muslim-majority countries, official hostility to gay people has increased in recent years. But the same cruise had visited before without problems.
The SC
INT'L MOD
- Thread starter
- #140
Egypt and Turkey expand defense cooperation.. Learn about the most prominent systems that attract the attention of the Egyptian army
The visit of Egyptian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher to Turkey witnessed a new impetus for the path of defense rapprochement between Cairo and Ankara, as he held extensive discussions with senior officials in the Turkish military industries sector, focusing on opportunities for cooperation in the fields of military industrialization, technology transfer, and the development of modern defense systems, most notably drones and smart munitions.
One of the most prominent stops of the visit was the meeting with officials of Baykar, a leader in the development and production of drones, which has succeeded over the past years in consolidating its position as one of the most prominent Turkish defense industry companies, thanks to its reliance on high rates of local manufacturing and its transformation into one of the largest exporters of Turkish military systems to dozens of countries around the world.
The discussions concluded with the signing of the head of the Egyptian Military Intelligence Authority and the head of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority, a letter of intent aimed at expanding cooperation in the field of military and defense industries, in a way that enhances the joint capabilities of the two countries and supports regional security and stability.
Data indicate that Cairo is showing increasing interest in benefiting from Turkish expertise in the field of drones, not only through acquisition, but also through technology transfer and joint manufacturing. This vision includes cooperation in the production of drones and associated ammunition, in line with Egypt’s strategy aimed at localizing defense industries and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.
During the visit, the Egyptian Defense Minister was briefed on a wide range of the latest Turkish defense products and programmes, in a step that reflects the expanding scope of potential cooperation between the two countries. The tour included the E-7T Peace Eagle early warning aircraft built on the American Boeing aircraft platform, to which Turkish companies contributed in a number of manufacturing and assembly stages, in addition to an advanced Turkish command and control system aimed at integrating various military platforms within a unified operations network.
He also learned about the locally developed Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan air-to-air missiles to arm Turkish fighters, in addition to the TOYGUN 100/200 electro-optical system designated for reconnaissance and targeting, and the AESA active electronic scanning radar array, which represents one of the most important technologies used in modern radars.
The tour also included the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, and the HÜRJET advanced training and light attack aircraft. The minister also witnessed a live demonstration of the capabilities of the AKINCI heavy drone, and was briefed on the ANKA III stealth drone, in addition to the LEVENT maritime air defense system designed to protect ships and naval facilities from modern air threats.
The potential cooperation is not limited to drones only, as Türkiye possesses an advanced set of air defense systems that may interest Egypt if defense cooperation between the two sides expands. At the forefront is the long-range SİPER system, which represents the latest Turkish air defense project, and is distinguished by its ability to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and some ballistic missiles at distances exceeding 100 kilometers. The Turkish systems also include the medium-range HİSAR O+ system, the short-range HİSAR A+ system, in addition to the GÜRZ and KORKUT systems dedicated to countering drones and low-altitude aerial threats, all of which operate within an integrated command and control network that relies on local radars and advanced battle management systems.
The visit of the Egyptian Defense Minister coincided with the visit of the Pakistani Defense Minister to Turkey, in addition to a series of meetings with military leaders, which reinforced speculation about the possibility of expanding defense cooperation between Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan in the fields of joint military manufacturing and technology transfer, with the possibility of other countries joining future cooperation projects.
This visit is the first of its kind at this level in about 13 years, and reflects the major transformation witnessed in relations between Cairo and Ankara, as common interests in the fields of defense, technology and military industry have become one of the most important drivers of rapprochement between the two countries, amid expectations that the partnership will extend in the future to more advanced projects, including air defense systems and modern fighter programs, most notably the Turkish KAAN stealth fighter.
