Egypt in Talks to Acquire Indian Akash Missile System for Air Defence Modernization

Egypt is actively considering acquiring India's Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile system, marking a potential boost to India's defence exports and a strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two nations. Egypt seeks to modernize its air defence arsenal, which currently relies on aging Soviet-era systems.

The Indian Embassy in Cairo is spearheading efforts to promote Indian-made defence equipment, with a focus on the Akash system. Discussions are underway regarding a possible sale and joint production of Akash missiles in Egypt.

Egypt possesses a robust air defence network in the Middle East, but much of its equipment includes outdated technology like MIM-23 Hawk, 2K12 Kub (SA-6), Tayer el-Sabah (SA-2), and S-125 Pechora-M (SA-3) systems.

The indigenously developed Akash system, manufactured by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), presents a modern and effective alternative, capable of countering threats from fighter jets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at a range of up to 30 km. The Akash has been successfully deployed by India's armed forces and previously exported to Armenia.

India-Egypt defence ties are historically strong, including military sales, training, and knowledge sharing. The two countries engage in joint military exercises. The interest in the Akash system builds on a visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to New Delhi in January 2023, where military collaboration and arms sales were discussed. In September 2022, the defence ministers of both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

India is aggressively promoting its indigenous military technology globally, with defence exports reaching a record $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2022-2023. The Akash system is a successful example, with interest from nations like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. India aims to increase defence exports to $5 billion by 2025 and is actively targeting markets in Africa, offering affordable and reliable alternatives to Western-made equipment.

Egypt may also explore other Indian-made defence products, such as the Akash NG (New Generation) system and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). Additionally, Egypt is considering the MBDA CAMM air defence system to further bolster its modernization efforts.

The potential acquisition of the Akash missile system by Egypt underscores the deepening defence relationship between the two nations. It also highlights India's emergence as a significant player in the global arms market, offering competitive and capable defence solutions.

 

[bonito]

In one month we will know if the Israel Palestine war is going to expand. If its Israel and Iran direct conflict 💯 egypt will also get embroiled into this conflict. An akash defence system is basically not supporting Israel and will end us in wrong side of the war.
A 3rd largest economy, 4 th largest army country cannot sit on fence forever. It has to take sides.

 

[Frank]

Russia sanctioned

China not trusted

US weapons expansive

India can literally export 10 billion in Defense if our. Duffer babus and politician use brain

 

[Anant]

Russia sanctioned

China not trusted

US weapons expansive

India can literally export 10 billion in Defense if our. Duffer babus and politician use brain

South Korea. Turkey. France. There are still several nations that can sell weapons. Oh, and the US weapons, despite being expensive, are seeing larger sales, and nations which can't afford those are also increasingly being sold junk by China.

 

[Official]

We should not export our weapons to the middle eastern nations as they will end up in our enemy's hands (pakistan) eventually as Eid gift from some islamic country we sold weapons too.

 

[Akshat]

South Korea. Turkey. France. There are still several nations that can sell weapons. Oh, and the US weapons, despite being expensive, are seeing larger sales, and nations which can't afford those are also increasingly being sold junk by China.

Agree with most. But I think China’s market share is shrinking, not increasing. And most of it is supported by Pak alone.

 

[Anant]

Agree with most. But I think China’s market share is shrinking, not increasing. And most of it is supported by Pak alone.

Possibly. However, we should consider the fact that most markets traditionally dominated by Russia or China are presently roughly mid-way in their tech cycle. Chinese military exports may see an upswing in another half decade or so.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to increase its market share and that can only happen if countries are at war. Most wars and conflicts are committed in Africa, Middle East and South America so we should find reliable countries that are not run by military officials or dictators along with having a reliable, resilient and democratic government that’s voted in power. Those countries are reliable in being able to pay for it in whichever form or currency.

Those countries who bought weapons from Russia for their SAM defence system are struggling to make alternative payment to them because of the sanctions and with the war going on in Ukraine they will supply those systems and missiles in their front line. That leaves us with a great opportunity to sell our own advanced SAM missiles that are much better and advanced than any Russian missile supplied to those countries.

Also any country that wants the Akash or Akash NG we can only sell by direct exports or if they are going to buy a large amount of the systems then we can offer a maximum amount of 40% of the technology transferred to them but it doesn’t include any critical technology at all and without those critical systems that are directly exported by us won’t be able to use that missile at all and neither can they replicate one without those crucial technology like seekers or engine etc.

 

[Akshat]

In one month we will know if the Israel Palestine war is going to expand. If its Israel and Iran direct conflict 💯 egypt will also get embroiled into this conflict. An akash defence system is basically not supporting Israel and will end us in wrong side of the war.
A 3rd largest economy, 4 th largest army country cannot sit on fence forever. It has to take sides.

No war is gonna happen. Also, Jordan has sided with Israel.
Even UAE has criticized Iran. So Egypt will also side with them, if at all a war happens.

 

[Akshat]

Possibly. However, we should consider the fact that most markets traditionally dominated by Russia or China are presently roughly mid-way in their tech cycle. Chinese military exports may see an upswing in another half decade or so.

They dipped by a quarter over the last decade. And many country traditionally dominated by Russian arms are either going to the west or to the alternatives or are too small to matter. Plus not many countries are willing to risk American anger by getting into long term deals with China. So I don’t think China is going to see any upswing in the near future. Even gaining its old market share is going to be a big task for them.