Military spox defends Egypt's arms deals, diversification of sources: 'Current battle is one of existence'

CAIRO – 19 March 2025: Armed Forces’ Spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez has defended Egypt’s arms deals and the establishment of military bases over the past years, saying “we have recognized the threats looming on the horizon.”

In an interview with the country’s official news agency MENA, Abdel Hafez emphasized that the Egyptian state has been acutely aware of such unfolding situation, which is why the Armed Forces have focused on enhancing their capabilities and weaponry systems over the past ten years.

“We faced significant criticism regarding arms deals and the establishment of military bases in previous periods, but we could recognize the threats looming on the horizon, especially after 2011,” the spokesman said.

He stressed that “recent developments have confirmed that the current battle is a battle of existence.”

Abdel Hafez affirmed that the military is fully prepared to confront all challenges facing Egypt, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security.

He noted an intensive activity among all Armed Forces personnel to ensure the readiness of the troops, assuring everyone that the Armed Forces are well-equipped to respond to and manage any threats and challenges.

DIVERSIFYING ARMAMENT SOURCES

Abdel Hafez clarified how Egypt has successfully navigated past challenges and crises, emerging stronger.

He stressed that the political leadership has prioritized enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces based on a strategic approach that emphasizes "diversifying sources of armament."

This approach ensures that the military does not rely on any single country for its weapons, he said.

“This is evident in the fact that the Egyptian air defense system is one of the most complex in the world due to its diversified sources of armament,” Abdel Hafez affirmed.

UNWAVERING STANCE

He noted that Egypt faces ongoing challenges across all strategic fronts, stressing that the current challenges facing the Egyptian state are unprecedented.

“The scale of hostilities is difficult for any nation to bear and without the advancements made in the Armed Forces over the past decade, we would not be standing by our own feet today.”

The military spokesman noted that the political leadership is well aware of the dangers facing Egypt, implementing calculated and strategic preemptive plans.

The spokesman reiterated that the political leadership's unwavering position on the Palestinian cause since 1948 emphasizes the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to ensure the region’s security and stability.

Abdel Hafez also underscored the nation’s rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land as this would mean the eradication of the Palestinian cause.

UNITY BEHIND LEADERSHIP

The spokesman highlighted the importance of national unity behind the political leadership during this critical phase as the true guarantee to overcome the challenges confronting Egypt.

He underscored the "weapon of awareness" that the Egyptian people currently possess in addressing present challenges.