What’s in News:

• India and Egypt agreed to further develop military cooperation and focus on joint training, defence co production and maintenance of equipment.
• The year 2022 is of particular significance since it marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt
• Egypt has expressed interest in acquiring military platforms from India. Among other things, Egypt is considering the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for its fighter requirement.

Defence Relations

• There was close cooperation between the Air Forces, with efforts at jointly developing a fighter aircraft in the 1960s(Helan-300).
• IAF pilots had also trained Egyptian pilots from the 1960s until 1984.
• For collaborative training, Indian Air Force and Naval Ships also travel regularly to Egypt.
• Exercise Desert Warrior is a bilateral military exercise organised by Egypt and India.

The need

• Security ties with Egypt are key for India’s own interests.
• Egypt straddles across many different areas, both geographically as well as politically. It’s the only country in Africa to do so. It is also part of the Arab World and it is also very close to the Gulf
• References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-egypt-to-focus-on-defence-coproduction-maintenance-of-equipment/article65910907.ece
2. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/rajnath-singh-holds-talks-with-egyptian-counterpart-to-expand-defence-ties-122092000231_1.html