An Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, to participate in the Egyptian-American joint exercise "Bright Star 2025." The exercise, which involves 44 brotherly and friendly countries, is being held at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base and across several naval and air bases in the Arab Republic of Egypt until September 10.
The Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent was welcomed by Gp Capt Perminder Antil SC, DA and officials from the Indian Embassy in Egypt.
The Indian contingent, comprising approximately 700 personnel, is among the largest Indian contingents participating in an external exercise, further evidence of the close and growing defense cooperation between India and Egypt.
The Egyptian-American "Bright Star 2025" joint military exercise is considered one of the largest joint land, sea, and air exercises in the region, reflecting the extent of the benefits and strengthening of military relations between all participating countries. More than 8,000 fighters from 14 countries are participating, with 30 other countries participating as observers, in addition to civilian police personnel and representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross and NATO.
The participating countries with troops are: Egypt, the United States, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Cyprus, Iraq, Greece, Yemen, the United Kingdom, Jordan, South Africa, and Kyrgyzstan.
The participating countries as observers are: Uganda, Hungary, Tunisia, Japan, Poland, Oman, Burundi, Malaysia, Argentina, Spain, Kenya, Australia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Germany, Malawi, Mauritania, Vietnam, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Djibouti, Bahrain, Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland, Rwanda, France, and Pakistan.
