Israel Defense: Israel is concern over Egyptian-Chinese military rapprochement and joint cooperation in military industries
Israeli military magazine “Israel Defense” reflected the state of concern among Israeli military circles about the recent Egyptian-Chinese military rapprochement and the joint cooperation between them in the military industries.
Israel Defense magazine published by the Israeli military said that Egypt and China signed a strategic agreement for the joint manufacture of armed drones, in a move that the magazine described as an advanced and deeply significant stage in defense relations between the two countries, and indicates Cairo’s quest to enhance its own industrial capabilities in the air and offensive field.
An official memorandum of understanding was signed this week between Egypt’s Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and China’s Northern Industries Group (NORINCO), in a ceremony that saw the unveiling of a new drone called “Hamza-2” for the first time.
Israel Defense noted that the drone is based on the Chinese design ASN-209 — a medium-altitude drone used for surveillance, reconnaissance and precision attack purposes — but comes with guided munitions and suspension points for armaments.
The magazine explained that Major General Mokhtar Abdel Latif, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Organization for Industrialization, publicly and firmly expressed his support for the new security cooperation with China, stressing that the “Hamza-2” aircraft is actually manufactured in Egypt, within the framework of technology transfer and industrial partnership agreements signed with the Chinese side.
The magazine pointed out that the Chinese company NORINCO is one of the leading suppliers of unmanned aviation systems in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and is a strategic partner that enjoys wide confidence in these markets.
Israel Defense also pointed out that the manufacture of the Hamza-2 in Egypt depends on a combination of local components and components imported from China, which reflects a clear Egyptian strategy aimed at having the ability to produce locally after importing advanced knowledge and technology.
The magazine stressed that Egypt is dedicating significant resources to a comprehensive renewal of its military and security capabilities, with a declared vision that seeks to reduce dependence on imports, by adopting a buy first, then localize and localize later approach, recalling that Cairo has previously imported drones, winged missiles, and fighter jets from Beijing.
The agreement marks a milestone in the trajectory of Egypt’s defense industry, and positions Egypt as a regional power seeking to integrate home-made precision offensive capabilities into its arsenal.
The partnership with China in the field of armed drones — a highly sensitive sector — reflects deep mutual trust and signals a shift in the defense procurement balances of one of the Middle East’s most prominent countries.
