Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know
Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt.
ANKARA — Three of Turkey's leading defense manufacturers are displaying their latest systems at a major air show in Egypt this week, as Ankara seeks to deepen defense industry cooperation with Cairo and expand export opportunities.
What happened: The second El Alamein International Airshow is being held from Tuesday to Thursday, bringing together more than 250 exhibitors from 50 countries, according to the Egyptian Defense Ministry. Egyptian authorities expect nearly 12,000 visitors, more than 100 aircraft and over 50 aerial displays at the event, one of the largest aviation and aerospace gatherings in Africa and the Middle East.
Turkey is represented by three of its leading defense companies: the country's largest aerospace manufacturer, TUSAS, defense electronics giant ASELSAN and state-owned arms and ammunition manufacturer MKE.
Among the Turkish systems on display is TUSAS's KAAN, Turkey's domestically developed next-generation fighter jet, which is expected to enter operational service with the Turkish Air Force in the 2030s.
MKE, meanwhile, is displaying its domestically developed TOLGA short-range air defense system, designed to detect, track and neutralize drones, cruise missiles and other low-altitude aerial threats.
ASELSAN is showcasing its latest defense electronics technologies at the air show, including capabilities spanning radar, air defense, electronic warfare, communications and precision-guided weapons.
Background: Military cooperation between Turkey and Egypt gained momentum in September 2025, when the two countries held their first joint naval exercise in 13 years in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Most recently, in July, Egyptian and Turkish forces held the Golden Eagle 2026 exercise in Egypt, bringing together Turkish special forces and Egypt's airborne and special forces.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his Egyptian counterpart, Ashraf Salem Zaher, signed a letter of intent on defense cooperation during Zaher's visit to Ankara on July 13.
Why it matters: The fair comes as Ankara seeks to expand arms sales to Egypt and boost defense export revenues for its cash-strapped economy.
Egypt, which fields one of the region's largest armed forces, represents a potentially significant market for Turkish defense companies, offering opportunities for direct sales as well as joint production and technology transfers.
Ankara and Cairo have been exploring Egypt's potential participation in Turkey's KAAN fifth-generation fighter program, potentially including joint production.
As a major Eastern Mediterranean power, closer security coordination with Cairo could help Ankara counterbalance deepening military cooperation among Greece, Israel and the Republic of Cyprus in the region. The three countries, which have been at odds with Ankara, signed a joint action plan in Nicosia in December to expand military cooperation through joint exercises, special forces training and greater operational coordination.
Know more: In addition to Turkey, Russia has a major presence at the air show, using the event to showcase some of its newest export-oriented aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-57E, according to Russia's state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec.
Chinese state-owned defense companies are also participating in the air show, including China Aerospace Long-March International, according to the Egyptian Defense Ministry.
Separately, the Chinese Defense Ministry said the country sent a military aviation contingent to the air show, including People's Liberation Army Air Force-deployed fighter jets, airborne early warning aircraft, refueling aircraft and helicopters.
