Turkey has signed a $350 million defence agreement with Egypt, Africa’s top-ranked military and the world’s 19th strongest, highlighting Cairo’s expanding defence ambitions and Ankara’s deepening strategic push into African security markets.

The agreement was reached between Turkey’s state-owned arms manufacturer, Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), and Egypt’s Ministry of Defence during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to Cairo, where he held talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

According to Middle East Eye, the deal covers ammunition exports and the establishment of local production facilities in Egypt, positioning the North African nation as a potential regional manufacturing hub for military hardware.

Strengthening defence capabilities

In a statement, Turkey’s defence ministry said MKE would export the Tolga Short-Range Air Defence System to Egypt in a transaction valued at approximately $130 million.

The system is designed to detect, track and neutralise aerial threats, including drones, low-flying aircraft and emerging missile technologies that have become increasingly prominent in modern conflict zones.

The agreement also includes plans to build a 155mm long-range artillery ammunition factory in Egypt, alongside production lines for 7.62mm and 12.7mm ammunition.

Sources indicated that the remaining $220 million will fund these industrial investments.

To oversee the facilities and expand export potential across Africa and the Middle East, both parties have agreed to establish a joint venture company.

From rivalry to rapprochement

The agreement highlights a rapid improvement in relations between Turkey and Egypt following years of diplomatic tension after the 2013 military takeover that brought President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to power.

The two countries began normalising ties in 2023 by appointing ambassadors and increasing high-level engagements, signalling a strategic reset between two of the region’s most influential powers.

Analysts say overlapping security concerns, including conflicts in Sudan and Somalia, maritime security and wider regional instability, have accelerated defence cooperation.

Egypt’s growing partnership with Turkey reflects a broader trend across Africa, where leading military powers are diversifying defence alliances rather than relying on a single supplier.

Algeria has traditionally sourced much of its military hardware from Russia, while Morocco maintains deep defence ties with the United States.

Several other African nations have increasingly turned to China for equipment, financing and military technology.

Against this backdrop, Cairo appears to be pursuing a multi-vector strategy aimed at strengthening operational readiness, boosting domestic production and positioning itself as a regional defence manufacturing hub.

Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo is widely viewed as a milestone in the rapprochement, with defence collaboration emerging as a central pillar of the renewed partnership. (Business Insider Africa)