EDEX 2025 in Cairo: fourth-edition figures, participating countries and the EDEX 2027 dates
EDEX is the Egypt Defence Expo, Egypt’s international defence and military industries exhibition. It is held in Cairo every two years and organised by the Armament Authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. Its fourth edition took place from 1 to 4 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo, with more than 450 companies from 86 countries, more than 40,000 visitors and more than 100 official delegations, according to the organisers. Türkiye had the largest foreign presence with 81 companies. The fifth edition is scheduled for 6–9 December 2027.
EDEX 2025 in numbers
| Edition | Fourth |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1–4 December 2025 |
| Venue | Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) – New Cairo |
| Organiser | Armament Authority – Egyptian Ministry of Defence |
| Exhibitors | More than 450 companies from 86 countries |
| Visitors | More than 40,000 local and international visitors (organiser figures) |
| Official delegations | More than 100 invited delegations |
| Exhibition space | More than 45,000 square metres |
| National pavilions | 25 pavilions, according to the State Information Service |
Largest participating countries
| Country | Number of companies |
|---|---|
| Türkiye | 81 |
| Egypt | 46 |
| China | 30 |
| United States | 23 |
| South Korea | 20 |
The Turkish participation included companies such as Aselsan and Istanbul Shipyard. Türkiye’s top position reflects growing defence cooperation between Cairo and Ankara, which we covered in Türkiye seeks to build joint warships with Egypt. China’s presence of thirty companies reflects Beijing’s continued interest in the security market in Africa and the Middle East.
What was new at the fourth edition?
- Fully Egyptian management: according to Defence Network Africa, the edition was run entirely through Egyptian institutions for the first time, via a committee including the Ministry of Military Production, the Armed Forces and the Arab Organization for Industrialization.
- Localisation as a central theme: around 260 Egyptian-made systems were displayed, according to the same source.
- Civilian industry participation: the Federation of Egyptian Industries took part for the first time, following assessments of local factories’ ability to produce dual-use components.
- A prominent Egyptian pavilion: the official exhibition guide highlighted an Egyptian pavilion showcasing the latest products of Egypt’s military manufacturing bodies.
Key unveilings at EDEX 2025
DefenceWeb, citing Janes and the Ministry of Military Production, listed a number of Egyptian systems shown for the first time. A distinction must be drawn here between display, acceptance and actual procurement:
| System | Developer | Description | Announced status |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Radaa 300” rocket launcher | Arab Organization for Industrialization | A platform combining a self-loading launcher derived from China’s SR5 with an upgraded ATS-59G tractor; it fires 122 mm rockets or guided rockets from the “Fire Dragon” family | Tested and accepted by the Armed Forces but not yet ordered; export agreement with Norinco |
| “Sinai 806” | Ministry of Military Production | A fully Egyptian armoured repair and recovery vehicle for the “Sinai 200” family, with a 2-tonne lifting winch and towing capacity of up to 30 tonnes | First showing |
| “Aqrab” 6×6 | Arab Organization for Industrialization with Havelsan | Unmanned ground vehicle with a remotely controlled 12.7 mm machine gun | First showing |
| “Hamza 1” | Arab Organization for Industrialization with Havelsan | Fixed-wing VTOL reconnaissance drone based on Türkiye’s Baha | First showing |
| “Jabbar” family | Egyptian company Tornex | One-way attack drones with take-off weights of 150, 200 and 250 kg | First showing |
| K9A1EGY | Hanwha and the Ministry of Military Production | Model of a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer produced in partnership | First battalion planned for delivery in the first half of 2026, according to the minister |
Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed Salah El-Din announced that Egypt now produces armour steel up to 30 mm thick and up to 240 cm wide, double its previous capacity. The exhibition also saw the signing of memoranda of understanding, including one between the Arab Organization for Industrialization and China’s Norinco to localise production, and seven agreements between the Organization and Abu Dhabi Aviation Group covering manufacturing, maintenance and supply. For more on the Korean howitzer: How many K9 Thunder howitzers does Egypt have?
History of the exhibition: from 2018 to 2025
EDEX was first held in December 2018 as Egypt’s first international defence industries exhibition, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Further editions followed in 2021, 2023 and 2025 on a biennial cycle in December. The exhibition serves as a platform for showcasing the products of the Arab Organization for Industrialization and the Ministry of Military Production and its companies, and for forging partnerships with foreign firms.
| Edition | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First | December 2018 | Egypt’s first international defence industries exhibition |
| Second | 2021 | Second edition |
| Third | December 2023 | More than 34,000 participants from 97 countries, according to DefenceWeb |
| Fourth | 1–4 December 2025 | 450+ exhibitors from 86 countries |
| Fifth | 6–9 December 2027 | Announced on the official website |
Read: The launch of EDEX 2018, What is the Arab Organization for Industrialization?, Kader Factory for Developed Industries and Sakr Factory for Developed Industries.
Why does EDEX matter?
- A gateway to Africa and the Middle East: the organisers present the exhibition as the only defence event covering Africa and the Middle East together across all three domains: land, sea and air.
- Supplier diversity: it brings Western, Russian, Chinese, Korean and Turkish companies together in one place, reflecting Egypt’s policy of diversifying its arms sources.
- Local production: a platform for showcasing the capabilities of Egypt’s military factories to foreign delegations as potential export customers.
Who can attend the exhibition?
According to the official website, the exhibition is intended for professionals and official delegations. It requires advance registration and an official badge, under-18s are not admitted, and it is not open to the general public.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next EDEX?
The fifth edition runs from 6 to 9 December 2027 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.
How many countries took part in EDEX 2025?
86 countries, with more than 450 exhibiting companies.
What was the largest foreign pavilion at EDEX 2025?
The Turkish pavilion with 81 companies, followed by Egypt (46) and China (30).
Who organises EDEX?
It is organised by the Armament Authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence.
What were the most notable new Egyptian systems at EDEX 2025?
They included the “Radaa 300” rocket launcher, the “Sinai 806” vehicle, the “Aqrab” unmanned ground vehicle, the “Hamza 1” drone and Tornex’s “Jabbar” drone family, bearing in mind that being displayed does not necessarily mean entering service.
Main image: static display of military equipment during Exercise Bright Star 2023 in Egypt (illustrative image). Source: Sgt. Angela Wilcox / U.S. Army via Wikimedia Commons – public domain.