In a historic ceremony held at the iconic Citadel of Salah al-Din, the Egyptian Air Force and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), a leading manufacturer in the field of military aviation, commemorated 45 years of fruitful bilateral cooperation. The event also marked the official induction of the first batch of Chinese-manufactured fighter aircraft into the Egyptian Air Force.

The celebration, attended by CATIC representatives and the Chinese Ambassador to Cairo, highlighted the enduring strategic partnership between Egypt and China and underscored the depth of relations across all sectors.

As part of the commemoration, guests toured the Military Museum located within the Citadel, which chronicles a significant era of Egyptian history. Attendees were presented with a detailed narration of the Museum’s exhibits and their historical context, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

In his address, Air Marshal Mahmoud Fouad Abdel-Gawad, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, conveyed the greetings and appreciation of General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, as well as Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

He emphasized the depth of cooperation between the Egyptian and Chinese air forces and expressed hope that the coming period would witness further collaboration that would enhance the Egyptian Air Force’s combat readiness and align with the rapid technological advancements in the aviation industry.

The CEO of CATIC also delivered remarks, expressing his appreciation for the organization of the event, which reflects the strong and distinguished relationship between the two sides. He highlighted the value of the ongoing partnership in strengthening Egypt’s aerial combat capabilities and fostering a climate conducive to the exchange of expertise based on scientific foundations that optimize the use of both human resources and advanced technological systems.

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China also addressed the audience, expressing his gratitude to the Egyptian Armed Forces and reaffirming China’s commitment to expanding avenues of cooperation with Egypt, building on the longstanding record of strategic partnership that binds the two nations. (Source & Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)