EDEX 2025 Day 1: New Military Technologies Revealed by Egyptian and International Defense Companies.

Defense companies from Egypt and around the world opened EDEX 2025 with a wide display of new weapons, protection systems, and next-generation technologies. The early reveal of upgraded armored platforms and advanced air defense solutions signals rising demand across regional and global markets.

The 2025 Egypt Defence Expo in Cairo launched with an immediate focus on hardware, as Egyptian firms and major international contractors rolled out new armored vehicles, drone platforms, precision guided systems, and digital command tools. Exhibitors described this year’s lineup as one of the most diverse since the expo began, with local manufacturers using the platform to highlight maturing industrial capabilities and foreign suppliers introducing upgraded systems tailored for modern desert and urban operations. Army Recognition, working on-site as the official media partner, gained early access to several product demonstrations that drew strong interest from visiting military delegations.
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EDEX 2025 opens in Cairo, Egypt, with a powerful display of next-gen armored vehicles, drones, and digital battlefield tech, as Army Recognition captures exclusive early access to top-tier demonstrations. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The tone was set early as Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi personally inaugurated the exhibition, reaffirming Cairo’s strategic ambitions to become a central hub for military production and defense diplomacy in the Middle East and Africa. Over 400 exhibitors from more than 45 countries filled the halls, with a notably expanded footprint from major U.S., French, Russian, and Chinese defense firms. While security was tight and protocols strict, the atmosphere among exhibitors was electric, with a sharp focus on arms export opportunities and technology transfer partnerships.

From the moment the doors opened, Army Recognition reporters were on site, capturing high-resolution imagery, conducting field interviews, and inspecting weapon systems in real time. Egypt’s national defense industry used the occasion to roll out several new platforms under the Arab Organization for Industrialization and the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production. One of the standout reveals was the Egyptian-made Temsah 4x4 APC in its upgraded variant, now equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station and enhanced IED protection. Officials confirmed to Army Recognition that the platform will soon undergo operational testing with Egyptian Army rapid deployment units.

Western defense giants also came to EDEX 2025 ready to compete. General Dynamics Land Systems presented a new export variant of the Abrams main battle tank, specifically tailored for regional partners operating in desert conditions. Meanwhile, Thales debuted its updated Ground Master radar line with enhanced counter-UAV capabilities, a clear nod to the proliferation of drone threats in North African and Sahelian theaters.

Day 1 was marked by a surge in bilateral meetings behind closed doors, with several sources confirming to Army Recognition that procurement talks between Egypt and South Korean firms are advancing swiftly. Notably, Hanwha Aerospace's booth drew significant interest from high-level Egyptian officials, particularly around the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. While no deals were officially announced today, insiders suggested a memorandum of understanding could materialize before the event concludes.

The Turkish defense industry returned to EDEX in force, leveraging the momentum of recent arms exports to African clients. Turkish Aerospace Industries displayed its ANKA-S UAV with live mission data integration demonstrations, signaling Ankara’s intent to dominate the tactical drone market across the continent. The Baykar booth, often surrounded by military officers from several African nations, highlighted the Bayraktar TB2’s battlefield success in Libya and beyond, cementing its regional relevance.

EDEX 2025 also saw an intensified U.S. presence, both in corporate and diplomatic form. The U.S. pavilion featured Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing showcasing integrated air defense systems, counter-drone solutions, and advanced munitions tailored for interoperability with Egyptian legacy systems.

As Day 1 drew to a close, the message from EDEX 2025 was unmistakable: Egypt is not only asserting itself as a regional security pillar but is also positioning its defense industry as a player on the global stage. The sheer diversity of exhibitors, combined with the scope of technology on display, reinforces the strategic weight Cairo assigns to the event.

Army Recognition will continue to provide exclusive, real-time updates throughout the show, with deeper technical profiles, procurement insights, and video interviews rolling out across our platforms. As the official media partner, our team remains embedded inside the exhibition halls, offering defense professionals worldwide unrivaled coverage of one of the most dynamic defense expos of the year.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s special report on unmanned systems and a behind-the-scenes look at the growing role of North African defense firms in regional stability operations.