Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Armed Forces have officially announced the launch of the joint Egyptian-American military exercise “Bright Star 2025”, one of the largest and most prominent multinational military drills in the Middle East. The 19th edition of the exercise is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 10, 2025.
This year’s iteration will bring together 43 countries, including 13 contributing active troops amounting to more than 7,900 military personnel from a range of combat and support specializations. The remaining 30 nations will participate as observers. The scale and scope of the exercise underscore its growing importance as a platform for military cooperation and strategic alignment.
“Bright Star 2025” is designed to strengthen military partnerships and foster the exchange of tactical and operational expertise among allied forces. Central to its mission is enhancing coordination and interoperability in responding to shared security threats, such as terrorism and unconventional armed groups. The exercise also aims to prepare participating forces for a range of complex operations, including counterinsurgency missions, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
The program will feature a wide array of military activities, including specialized lectures, field exercises, live-fire drills, and simulations of medical evacuations and humanitarian relief operations. These diverse components are tailored to ensure realistic training scenarios and reinforce readiness across multiple domains.
Beyond its technical dimensions, the exercise serves as a testament to the deep-rooted defense ties between Egypt and the United States, as well as other partner nations. It reflects Egypt’s ongoing commitment to playing a pivotal role in promoting regional and international security.
Originally launched in 1981, “Bright Star” has evolved into a cornerstone of Egypt’s military diplomacy. Held biennially on Egyptian soil, it has grown in scale and significance over the decades, mirroring shifts in global security dynamics and the need for robust multinational cooperation. With every edition, it reaffirms Egypt’s strategic position as a leading advocate for stability and peace in the Middle East.
