- China and Egypt agree to co-produce Hamza-2 combat UAVs locally.
- Deal emphasizes technology transfer and boosting Egypt’s defense manufacturing.
- Hamza-2, based on ASN-209, strengthens regional surveillance and strike capabilities.
China and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding to produce Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Egypt. The ceremony was led by Egypt's Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), showcasing a scale model of the “Hamza-2” combat drone equipped with guided munitions.
AOI Chairman Major General Engineer Mokhtar Abdel Latif praised the partnership and highlighted its future significance. “We value the partnership with the Chinese company,” said Abdel Latif. “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,” the general added.
The Hamza-2 combat drone, slated for production in Egypt, is said to be based on China’s ASN-209 platform. The Chinese drone is a medium-altitude UAV featuring a twin-boom design and abilities for real-time reconnaissance and attack, according to DefenceBlog. Therefore, the Hamza-2 is probably a medium-altitude drone with combat abilities.
Its probable design would be customized for real-time surveillance and attack missions. For African governments and coastal nations concerned about maritime security or regional conflicts, a drone such as the Hamza-2, which integrates surveillance and attack functions, could serve as an effective force enhancer.
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The domestically manufactured drone could also signify a change in the dynamics of drone proliferation, especially as more nations aim to create combat-ready UAVs internally through global partnerships instead of one-off acquisitions.
Egypt's expanding drone capabilities are not the sole advancement in the North African area. The site was planned to be situated in Benslimane, Morocco, near Casablanca, and will manufacture SpyX loitering munitions, drones designed for executing precision attacks on armored vehicles, military installations, and other critical targets.