Tel Aviv. Egyptian Ministry of Defense has decided to develop independent capabilities to produce different types of UAVs.
Currently, Egypt is using Chinese made UAVs. These have participated intensively in the fighting against ISIS forces in Sinai and the border guard missions with Libya against the intrusion of hostile elements.
In order to implement local production plan, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense turned to the Italian company Leonardo, which manufactures various types of unmanned aerial vehicles, including unmanned helicopters.
Leonardo makes different types of fixed wing and rotary UAVs and in the coming months some of these will be demonstrated to the Egyptian armed forces.
If a contract is signed it is expected that the production of at least some of the selected systems will be made in Egypt.
Cairo has a policy to enhance the local production capabilities of systems for its armed forces.
So far the Egyptians have used the Chinese made Wing Loong UAV but the Chinese are not willing to allow local production of their systems.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
