In a bid to achieve more sovereignty over its security infrastructure, Egypt has decided to manufacture its own unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) locally.
This initiative follows a deal with China, which led to a memorandum of understanding that ensures that China would aid Egypt in its drone production.
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The deal was signed on December 1, 2025, between the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), during a ceremony that included the presentation of the combat-ready “Hamza-2” drone.
The signing event also exhibited a scale model of the Hamza-2, complete with guided missiles, showing the industrial and technological goals of the cooperation.
AOI Chairman Major General Engineer Mokhtar Abdel Latif emphasized the importance of localizing production.
“The cooperation includes localizing technology and increasing the share of local manufacturing for defense industry systems, benefiting from the advanced production capabilities of the Aircraft Factory,” Mokhtar stated.
The Hamza-2 is said to be based on China’s ASN-209 platform, a medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle with a twin-boom structure designed for real-time reconnaissance and striking operations, Defenseblog reports.
While exact technical specifics about the Egyptian version have not yet been revealed, it is likely to maintain comparable capabilities, making it appropriate for both surveillance and tactical attack missions.
Drones like the Hamza-2 are not only a force multiplier for African countries focusing on military production and marine security, but also a paradigm for industrial growth in high-tech defence industries.
Egypt is going beyond mere buying of UAVs to full-scale fabrication, assembly, and maintenance of modern military gear.
Egypt’s collaboration with China illustrates how defense partnerships can drive industrial development, skill transfer, and local manufacturing capabilities, signaling a new era of high-tech defense production in Africa.
