The Egyptian Air Force and Dassault Aviation, the leading French company in the field of combat aircraft production, commemorated 50 years of joint cooperation and the joining of the company’s first combat aircraft to the Egyptian Air Force.

This celebration took place at a special event with a historical nature at the Grand Egyptian Museum, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and strategic ties between Egypt and France at all levels, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The event was held in the presence of General Mahmoud Fuad Abdel Jawad, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, and Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, along with representatives from the Egyptian Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, members of the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

During the event, a documentary film was presented, highlighting the history of the arrival of the first Mirage 5 combat aircraft in 1974, followed by the Alpha Jet combat aircraft in 1982, and Mirage 2000 combat aircraft in 1986, to crown the ancient past with a prosperous present and a bright future with the addition of the latest multi-role combat aircraft (Rafale) in 2015.

The Egyptian Air Force Commander delivered a speech conveying greetings and appreciation from General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lieutenant General Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

He emphasized the strong historical ties that have formed a pivotal model of cooperation and coordination between the two sides, leading to unprecedented developments in various fields in recent years. He also highlighted the significant role played by French combat aircraft in enhancing the precision and efficiency of the Air Force missions, expressing aspirations for further cooperation in the future.

The Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation also gave a speech in which he stressed the depth and enduring relationship between the Egyptian Air Force and Dassault, characterized by a unique strategic partnership that has witnessed continuous success and excellence, reflecting the depth of military cooperation between the two friendly countries at all levels.

The event concluded with an exchange of plaques between the two parties. The event was attended by military leaders, the French Ambassador, the French Defense Attaché in Cairo, as well as retired instructors, trainers, and technical crews working on operating various models of French aircraft. (Source & Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)