Bright Star-25: The United States and Egypt gathered 40 countries for the largest exercises in the region

Where and how the exercises started

On August 28, the official opening ceremony of the Bright Star-25 exercises was held at the Mohamed Naguib military base in Egypt. From that moment on, a series of large-scale operations began, involving military personnel from all over the world. The base, built on the border with Libya, was not chosen by chance — it is one of the largest in North Africa and is ideal for large-scale maneuvers.

This is no longer just a bilateral exercise between the United States and Egypt. This is a global event that over the years has become one of the key elements of military diplomacy in the Middle East.

Why does the United States need such large-scale games

The Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM), responsible for the Middle East, Africa and part of Asia, sees the Bright Star not just as a training exercise, but as a tool for strengthening alliances. The exercises show that the United States remains engaged in the region, supports strategic partners and is ready to act together.

For Egypt, this is a confirmation of the status of a key player. For the United States, it is an opportunity to keep the threads of influence without deploying large forces on a permanent basis.

Who is involved — from NATO to Asia

This year, more than 40 countries are involved in the exercises. Among them are NATO members, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, African countries, and even military personnel from Asia. About 1,800 American military personnel work side by side with colleagues from other armies.

Such a composition is rare. Usually, exercises bring together either Western allies or regional partners. There are both here. This suggests that the Bright Star is no longer just a regional event. It is becoming an international standard for compatibility and interoperability.

Not just shooting, but preparing for real scenarios

The exercises cover everything from field maneuvers to command and staff games. Both conventional combat operations and counteraction to guerrilla formations, terrorist threats, and cyber attacks are being practiced. What matters is not so much the number of shots fired as the quality of the interaction — how orders are transmitted, how actions are coordinated, and how language and technical barriers are resolved.

This is not a rehearsal for war, but a resilience training. Because in a real conflict, the winner is not the one with the most tanks, but the one who knows how to work together better.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Defense — Bright Star 25 official opening and overview
2. DVIDS — Bright Star 25 multinational exercise details
3. Wikipedia — Exercise Bright Star history and data
4. The Jerusalem Post — Bright Star 25 begins in Egypt
5. U.S. Embassy Egypt — Bright Star exercise information

The Houthis are strengthening the naval blockade of Israel: the threat of attacks on ships monitored through AIS between Egypt, Turkey and Israel

The Houthis, speaking out against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip and the blockade of the enclave, announced the beginning of the fourth stage of their naval blockade of Israel, which includes attacks on all ships cooperating with Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality and destination. Yahya Saria, a spokesman for the Houthi armed forces, said they were warning all shipping companies, including major ones such as Maersk and MSC, to stop cooperating with Israeli ports. According to him, the Houthis use AIS data to track the movements of ships between Egypt, Turkey and Israel and will attack any ships connected to Israeli ports, anywhere their missiles and drones can reach. They call on countries to put pressure on Israel to end the aggression and lift the blockade on Gaza, promising to stop attacks when these conditions are met.

Thus, the current position of the Houthis is to block shipping flows to Israeli ports through threats and attacks on all ships that serve these ports, using modern tracking technologies and maximum target coverage.

Egypt has officially joined the Turkish fifth-generation fighter Kaan program: joint production and technological transfer

Kaan

Egypt has received official approval to join Turkey's fifth-generation Kaan fighter development program, becoming a partner in the project and participating not only in the procurement, but also in the production of this modern combat aircraft. This is an important step in the bilateral defense cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, which gives Cairo access to advanced next-generation aerospace technologies, allows it to increase technological independence and modernize its own armed forces.

The agreement includes technology transfer, the creation of joint production lines, and plans for future deliveries of Kaan fighter jets to the Egyptian Air Force. The Turkish Kaan fighter (formerly known as TF-X) has been under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) since 2017 and is a promising fifth-generation twin-engine fighter with a high level of stealth, advanced radar and electronic systems. The first prototype has already made its maiden flight in February 2024, and mass production and deliveries are planned by the end of the 2020s.

As part of the Kaan project, Turkey is working closely with international partners and expanding its partnership, including with Egypt, which underscores the strategic importance of the program and its potential to enhance the defense capabilities of both countries.

The United States approved the sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Egypt for 4.7 billion

 

The United States has officially given the green light for the sale of a serious anti—aircraft "kit" to Egypt - worth almost $ 4.7 billion. The deal was approved by the State Department, and the details were announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday. This is not just the delivery of a pair of missiles, but an entire air defense system that can seriously strengthen Egypt's ability to repel airstrikes and drone attacks.

The main "link" in this package is the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface—to-Air Missile System) system. This is a modern air defense system developed jointly by the United States and Norway, and it has already established itself as one of the most effective in its class. NASAMS does an excellent job with airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles and, most importantly, drones.

What exactly will Egypt get?  

- 4 AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radars are the "eyes" of the system that catch targets at a great distance, even if they are flying low.  

- Hundreds of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles (their modified version is used against ground targets) — the main "tooth" of the system.  

- Dozens of launchers and control units — to make it all work as a single mechanism.

For Egypt, this is a step towards modernizing its air defense. The country is now facing threats from all sides, from drones in Libya to tensions in Sinai and East Africa. NASAMS will make it possible to intercept targets at medium and low altitudes, which is especially important in an environment where drones and smart missiles are becoming more dangerous.

And for the United States, this is not only a strengthening of the alliance with a key player in the Middle East, but also another major export contract. However, the deal has been approved so far, but not concluded — the final decision is for Cairo. But if Egypt confirms the request, then in a couple of years it will have one of the most modern anti-aircraft systems in the region.

Egypt plans to deploy Chinese HQ-9B air defense system: strategic turn to the East

 

Launch of the Chinese HQ-9B air defense system

According to sources, a former senior official of the country's armed forces said that Egypt intends to deploy the Chinese HQ-9B long-range anti-aircraft missile system on its territory. This decision has caused a wide resonance in the international military and political community, as it may indicate a shift in the geopolitical balance in the Middle East region.

According to analytical estimates, Cairo's choice of the Chinese system is due to a combination of strategic, economic and political factors. After years of dependence on Western arms supplies, especially from the United States and France, Egypt is facing increasing restrictions from Western countries. These measures are often linked to demands for respect for human rights and other political conditions that threaten continuity of supply.

In addition, China offers modern technologies without harsh political conditions, which makes it an attractive partner for many states seeking to modernize their armed forces regardless of external pressure. The HQ-9B is one of the most advanced air and missile defense systems capable of intercepting aerial targets at a distance of up to 200 kilometers.

This agreement could also be an important step in strengthening bilateral military-technical cooperation between China and Egypt. The deployment of such a system is expected to have an impact on the balance of power in North Africa and the Middle East, especially in the face of growing tension between various regional players.

In addition, this step can be seen as a signal to other countries that also face problems accessing advanced military technology due to geopolitical constraints. China continues to expand its influence in the global defense market, offering an alternative to traditional suppliers such as the United States, Russia and European countries.

Thus, the deployment of the HQ-9B system in Egypt may become an important precedent in international military supplies and indicates a further strengthening of China's position in the region.

UAP/UFO, Giza Plateau, Egypt

 UAP/UFO, Giza Plateau, Egypt

Egypt strengthens air defense: purchase of Chinese HQ-9B system

Egyptian military sources have confirmed information about the acquisition by the Egyptian Air Force of a modern Chinese HQ-9B long-range air defense system. This decision could be an important step in strengthening the country's national security and significantly affect the balance of power in the air between Egypt and its potential adversaries.

The HQ-9B is an advanced surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile system capable of hitting aerial targets at a distance of up to 200 kilometers. It is equipped with modern radars and guidance systems, which makes it highly effective against aircraft, cruise missiles and even ballistic targets. For Egypt, whose air defense network was previously limited by outdated systems, the purchase of the HQ-9B represents a significant breakthrough.

Analysts point out that the new air defense system could dramatically change Egypt's defensive capabilities. Previously, the country relied mainly on outdated Soviet-made complexes such as the S-75 and S-125, which no longer meet modern requirements. The HQ-9B provides higher range, accuracy and the ability to counter complex threats, which significantly enhances the protection of Egyptian airspace.

The acquisition of the HQ-9B also reflects the growing military-technical cooperation between Egypt and China. This partnership is becoming increasingly visible amid Cairo's efforts to diversify its arms sources. Previously, Egypt traditionally depended on Western suppliers such as the United States, but now it is actively looking for alternatives to modernize its armed forces.

From a geopolitical point of view, the appearance of the HQ-9B in Egypt's arsenal may cause concern among neighboring countries, especially Israel. Although Egypt and Israel have supported the peace treaty since 1979, the balance of power in the region remains fragile. The strengthening of Egyptian air defenses may signal the country's desire to strengthen its defensive positions in case of possible conflicts.

Thus, the purchase of the HQ-9B demonstrates the strategic importance of modernizing the Egyptian armed forces. This not only increases the level of national security, but also strengthens the country's position as one of the key military players in the Middle East region.

Chinese J-10 fighter jets have arrived in Egypt to participate in the Eagles of Civilization 2025 exercise

 

Chinese J-10 fighter jets

As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between China and Egypt, J-10 fighter jets from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA Air Force) recently arrived in Egyptian territory to participate in the Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint exercises. This event was an important step in the development of military cooperation between the two countries and a demonstration of Beijing's growing influence in the international arena.

In the coming days, Chinese combat aircraft will hold a series of events with Egyptian Air Force fighters, including joint training flights, tactical maneuvers, and experience sharing. Special attention will be paid to cooperation with Russian-made Egyptian MiG-29M/M2 fighters, which underlines the multipolarity of modern military-political relations.

The Eagles of Civilization 2025 exercises are aimed not only at increasing the level of interoperability between the aviation of the two countries, but also at demonstrating the technological capabilities of Chinese J-10 fighters. These vehicles, equipped with modern control and weapons systems, are one of the key elements of the combat potential of the PLA Air Force. Their participation in the exercises provides a unique opportunity to share best practices and technologies.

Experts note that this event is of strategic importance. On the one hand, it strengthens China's position as a global security and defense player. On the other hand, it strengthens trust between Cairo and Beijing, which can help expand cooperation in other areas, including economics and technology.

At the same time, the participation of Russian MiG-29M/M2 fighters in the exercises adds an additional geopolitical context. This demonstrates the complex dynamics of international relations, where countries are actively seeking a balance between various allies and partners.

The arrival of Chinese Y-20 aircraft in Egypt has raised U.S. concerns

 The arrival of the Chinese Y-20 aircraft in Egypt has caused concern in the United States.

On a seemingly ordinary day, an unusual sight occurred in the skies over Egypt: five or six Chinese Xi'an Y-20 military transport planes landed, as evidenced by open surveillance and flight data.

Although no deal has been confirmed as of early 2025, the J-10's presence at the Egypt International Air Show in September 2024, where they flew alongside the Y-20 over the Pyramids of Giza, This indicates active cooperation between the defense departments of the two countries.

Egypt has also purchased Chinese Wing Loong-1D drones, which have capabilities similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper, but are cheaper, which once again indicates a deepening partnership.

Speculation regarding the Y-20 cargo in April 2025 inevitably focuses on military equipment, although there is no concrete evidence to confirm its contents.

 Xi'an Y-20

Algeria received Su-35S fighters: details of the deal and its significance for the Russian defense industry

 

In March 2025, Maxar satellite imagery recorded the delivery of Su-35S fighters to the Umm el Bouagy airfield in Algeria. AN-124 heavy transport aircraft transported a batch of fighters from Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Interestingly, there was no official announcement of an agreement on the supply of these aircraft to Algeria. However, given the close military-technical cooperation between the two countries, including the recent purchase of the Su-57, this did not come as a surprise.

There are nuances: according to some reports, aircraft from a shipment destined for Egypt were transferred to Algeria, but the contract with which was canceled. This assumption is based on the characteristic color of the aircraft. Interestingly, since 2022, these aircraft have also been considered for delivery to Iran.

It is important to note that the colors of the Algerian and Egyptian Air Forces are similar in places, so it cannot be ruled out that the planes could not be from the "Egyptian party." Nevertheless, the fact remains that the Su-35S have not yet been spotted in Iran, despite numerous speculations.

The main thing in this situation is the very fact of aircraft delivery to Algeria, which is a solvent partner. Under the conditions of CAATSA sanctions, such a deal looks profitable, and the funds from export earnings will be useful for the Russian military-industrial complex.

Tensions are rising: Egypt is deploying 100 tanks in the Sinai Peninsula in response to Israeli actions

 Satellite images have confirmed the presence of 100 Egyptian tanks in El-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula in violation of the 1979 peace agreement. At a meeting in Cairo, Egyptian officials said that Israeli "violations" would be met with violations on their part.

Tensions between Israel and Egypt have escalated in recent weeks.Israeli officials and military analysts have warned that Egypt's expanding military presence in the region poses a serious security threat.