The Egyptian Armed Forces announced that the joint Egyptian–American military exercise Bright Star 2025 will take place from 28 August to 10 September.

The 19th edition of the exercise will be held on Egyptian soil and is expected to be one of the largest military drills in the Middle East.

This year’s exercise will involve 43 countries, with 13 participating directly through more than 7,900 soldiers and 30 others joining as observers, Egyptian Armed Forces spokesperson said.

First launched in 1980 as a bilateral US–Egypt drill, Bright Star has since developed into a multinational exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, strengthening military cooperation, and improving interoperability among partner forces.

It is also one of the longest-running exercises in the US Central Command’s area of responsibility.

The arrival of Saudi Arabian Armed Forces units in the Arab Republic of Egypt was completed to participate in the “Bright Star 2025” military exercise, the Saudi Press Agency announced on Thursday.

Head of the Saudi Armed Forces Training and Development Authority, Major General Adel bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, stated that the participation of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces in the exercise falls within the training plan for the 2025-2026 period, which includes joint and combined exercises both within and outside the Kingdom.

He indicated that the exercise aims to enhance operational interoperability, ensure integration of multinational joint forces, and raise the readiness level of the Armed Forces.

He also noted that the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are participating in the exercise with active units from their main branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Forces.

Moreover, he emphasized that this participation is part of a series of joint exercises with brotherly and friendly countries, contributing to strengthening of cooperation, operational alignment, and development of joint military action. (Egyptian Armed Forces; SPA; Photo © SPA)