Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Egyptian Armed Forces carried out the main phase of the Live-Fire Maneuver “Badr 2026” using live ammunition, during a large-scale field exercise conducted by one of the units of the Third Field Army. The drill was witnessed by senior military leadership, including the Chief of Staff, commanders of key branches, as well as a number of governors, members of parliament, military academy students, university representatives, and media personnel.
The exercise comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Egyptian military to maintain combat readiness and enhance operational efficiency under realistic battlefield conditions.
During the event, Major General Ahmed Mahdi Sarhan, Commander of the Third Field Army, delivered remarks emphasizing the continuous efforts of his personnel to achieve the highest levels of combat preparedness. He stressed that troops remain fully committed to executing all assigned missions to safeguard the security and stability of the nation, regardless of the challenges or sacrifices required.
The main phase of the exercise began with a detailed briefing outlining the tactical concept and reviewing previous stages of training. The scenario then progressed into a simulated combat operation aimed at developing an offensive maneuver, supported by coordinated participation from the Air Force, which conducted reconnaissance, security, and air support missions.
Operations were carried out under the protection of air defense systems and artillery units, which worked to suppress and destroy simulated enemy positions and disrupt advancing threats. Armored and mechanized units were then deployed to breach defensive lines, engaging and neutralizing hostile targets with support from attack helicopters and anti-tank guided missile systems designed to counter counterattacks.
Special forces units, including paratroopers and commando formations, executed airborne operations and targeted raids against designated objectives, demonstrating rapid response capabilities and precision strike effectiveness.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the Chief of Staff conveyed greetings and appreciation from the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, highlighting his recognition of the military’s ongoing efforts to maintain readiness and strengthen operational capability.
He reiterated that the Armed Forces continue to modernize their combat systems and equipment while investing heavily in developing the “comprehensive combat soldier” trained according to the latest military doctrines and methodologies.
He also noted that Egypt’s military capabilities across all branches remain fully capable of protecting national security and defending strategic interests amid ongoing regional instability and evolving security challenges.
The leadership further praised the high level of discipline, coordination, and precision demonstrated by participating units throughout the exercise, describing their performance as a reflection of strong operational readiness and professional training standards.
In parallel, the Chief of Staff also observed another phase of the exercise focusing on breaching forward defensive lines, supported again by coordinated air operations. He engaged with commanders and officers on site, discussing planning methodologies and decision-making approaches when facing dynamic tactical scenarios during combat operations.
The “Badr 2026” Live-Fire Maneuver underscores the Egyptian Armed Forces’ continued emphasis on realistic field training, joint-force coordination, and maintaining a high state of readiness to respond to any potential threats across all strategic directions.
