Egypt on Wednesday reaffirmed its interest in procuring advanced military equipment from India, including the Tejas light combat aircraft, radars, military helicopters, and other platforms.
Both nations have vowed to increase their overall defense engagement in light of the evolving regional security matrix. The Egyptian delegation conveyed its desire to acquire the Indian platforms during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Egypt has already held preliminary talks with India on the procurement of Tejas and is also looking at procuring Akash missiles and smart anti-airfield systems.
Other countries such as the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, and the Philippines have also shown interest in India's Tejas aircraft. In their talks, Modi and Sisi decided to elevate the India-Egypt bilateral cooperation to the level of a strategic partnership.
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The strategic partnership will comprise four key pillars: political and security cooperation, economic engagement, scientific and academic collaboration, and wider cultural and people-to-people contacts.
The two sides also resolved to expand defense cooperation in areas such as training, exercises, industrial partnership, and in the fields of platforms and equipment.
This move is a significant step in strengthening the defense ties between India and Egypt and will pave the way for further cooperation in the defense sector.
The Tejas, in particular, is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been developed indigenously by India and has proven its capabilities in various flight tests. The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and weapon systems, making it a formidable platform in air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.
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The procurement of Tejas and other Indian defense platforms by Egypt will not only boost the country's defense capabilities but also provide a significant boost to the Indian defense industry. The move will also help India to establish itself as a major defense exporter in the international market, competing with established players such as Russia and the United States.
Overall, the talks between Modi and Sisi have opened a new chapter in India-Egypt relations, with both nations committing to strengthening their defense ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in the defense sector. The elevation of the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership is a positive step in the right direction and will help to further strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
