Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The 19th edition of Exercise Bright Star, one of the largest multinational military drills in the Middle East, has officially commenced at Egypt’s Mohamed Naguib Military Base. Running from August 28 to September 10, the exercise brings together over 8,000 troops from 14 countries as active participants, with military observers from an additional 30 nations.
A total of 44 countries are involved in the 2025 iteration of the biennial drill, which is co-hosted by Egypt and the United States. Originally launched in 1980, Bright Star has grown into a premier forum for multinational cooperation, showcasing strategic capabilities and enhancing interoperability between partner nations.
This year’s exercise includes active participation from armed forces of Egypt, the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Cyprus, Iraq, Greece, Yemen, the United Kingdom, Jordan, South Africa, and Kyrgyzstan. Another 30 countries, including Germany, Japan, France, and South Korea, are taking part as observers. International bodies such as NATO and the Red Cross are also involved, alongside Egyptian police forces.
Military officials describe the exercise as a critical platform for fostering joint operational planning, promoting security coordination, and strengthening defense diplomacy. Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, inspected final preparations at the base and commended the organizers for ensuring a high level of readiness and professionalism.
“The Bright Star exercise reflects the honorable stature of the Egyptian Armed Forces,” said Khalifa. “It also reaffirms Egypt’s commitment to regional and international security cooperation.”
Major General Pilot Hisham Al-Halabi, a senior military analyst, emphasized the strategic value of Bright Star for Egypt and its partners. “These drills not only enhance combat readiness but also allow Egypt to engage with the latest global military technologies and doctrines,” he noted. “They underline Egypt’s readiness for joint operations and serve broader strategic objectives in the region.”
The Indian Armed Forces have deployed over 700 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. Their participation underscores India’s growing commitment to international defense partnerships and joint military initiatives. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the exercise will feature live-fire demonstrations, command post exercises, and subject matter expert exchanges on contemporary military operations and technologies.
Saudi Arabia has also committed significant resources to Bright Star 2025. Units from the Kingdom’s Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Forces are participating as part of Riyadh’s broader defense cooperation strategy. Major General Adel bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Head of the Armed Forces Training and Development Authority, stated that the exercise is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s training plans and aims to enhance combat effectiveness and joint operational capability.
The scope of Bright Star extends beyond battlefield simulations. Participating forces will engage in diverse combat scenarios, strategic planning drills, and knowledge-sharing sessions. These activities aim to foster closer coordination among partner nations while enabling them to adapt to rapidly evolving warfare environments, including cyber, hybrid, and asymmetric threats.
Observers say this year’s extensive participation and logistical complexity underscore Egypt’s central role as a regional security hub. The continued success and expansion of Bright Star also reflect the enduring military partnership between Egypt and the United States, as well as the growing interest of new and returning countries in collaborative defense training.
With geopolitical tensions and non-traditional threats on the rise globally, exercises like Bright Star are increasingly seen as vital mechanisms for promoting peace, enhancing collective preparedness, and fostering trust among allies.
As the exercise continues over the next two weeks, participating nations are expected to conduct a range of operations that will test their tactical cohesion and strategic foresight ensuring that, when the need arises, they are ready to act in concert.
