El Alamein International Airshow 2026 Concludes

The second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow has concluded at El Alamein International Airport. Inaugurated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the event featured over 250 exhibitors from approximately 100 countries, reinforcing Egypt’s strategic objective to establish itself as a regional aerospace and defense hub.

A central outcome of the exhibition was the sales agreement between HAVELSAN and Egypt’s Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) for the HAMZA-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This agreement moves their partnership from joint development into a commercial phase, with deliveries expected to commence shortly.

International participation remained diverse. Boeing, acting as a silver sponsor, presented the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and KC-46A Pegasus. Turkish firms such as Aselsan showcased air defense systems, including the ‘Tolga’ and AESA radars. The event also noted a significant Russian presence, featuring the Su-57 aircraft. Furthermore, reports continue to suggest Egypt is looking to modernize its fleet through the potential acquisition of 24 additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France.

The airshow underscored the rapid advancement of drone technology and Egypt’s focus on industrial localization, as domestic entities like the AOI demonstrated increased self-sufficiency in manufacturing aircraft components and unmanned systems.