--- eventsindex_id: "EI-07011" slug: egypt-defence-expo-edex title: "EDEX Egypt Defence Expo" title_alt: ["Egypt Defence Expo", "EDEX"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/egypt-defence-expo-edex.html" next_edition_year: 2027 date_start: "2027-12-06" date_end: "2027-12-09" venue: "Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC)" city: "Cairo" country: "Egypt" organiser: "Egyptian Armament Authority (Ministry of Defence)" organiser_url: "" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, industry, procurement, policy] format: [exhibition, conference] purpose: [business, networking, procurement, policy, innovation] geography_scope: [global] season: winter meta_description: "EDEX 2027, 6-9 Dec, EIEC Cairo. Egyptian Armament Authority biennial defence expo: 450+ exhibitors, 86 countries, 45,000 visitors (2025 edition)." editorial_take: "Egypt's state-backed showcase has become the dominant entry point for global defence primes seeking access to Africa's largest military establishment and its continent-wide procurement network." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 42/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # EDEX Egypt Defence Expo > *EDEX is Egypt's premier biennial defence and security exhibition, held every two years in December at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo. Organised directly by the Egyptian Armament Authority under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, it brings together global defence primes, regional procurement authorities, and official military delegations from across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The next edition, EDEX 2027, is scheduled for 6-9 December 2027.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **6-9 December 2027** | **Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC)** | **Egyptian Armament Authority** | **~45,000 visitors (EDEX 2025)** | | 4 days, biennial (odd years) | New Cairo, Egypt | Ministry of Defence body | 450+ exhibitors, 86 countries (EDEX 2025) | --- ## Definition EDEX (Egypt Defence Expo) is a biennial international defence and security exhibition organised by the Egyptian Armament Authority, a directorate of Egypt's Ministry of Defence. Held every two years in December in Cairo, it showcases the latest defence technologies and systems across land, sea, and air domains. The fifth edition, EDEX 2027, takes place 6-9 December 2027 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre. It attracts military personnel, government officials, industry professionals, and official international delegations. Participation requires compliance screening aligned with Egyptian and international export-control regulations. ## Origin and history The inaugural Egypt Defence Expo launched in December 2018 under presidential patronage, establishing Egypt as a host of major international defence events. That first edition attracted 373 companies from 41 countries and around 10,000 visitors. The second edition (EDEX 2021) and third (EDEX 2023) followed on the same biennial December cycle, each growing in scale. By the fourth edition in December 2025, the show had expanded to more than 450 exhibitors from 86 countries, with approximately 45,000 visitors and official delegations from over 100 countries. The rapid growth reflected Egypt's deliberate strategy of positioning itself as Africa's leading defence marketplace. ## The 2027 edition: building on record participation EDEX 2027 is confirmed for 6-9 December 2027 at the EIEC, maintaining the established biennial December calendar slot. Registration and exhibitor enquiry processes are live on the official website. Based on the growth trajectory of previous editions, the organiser targets further expansion in exhibitor numbers and delegation breadth. Specific new features, themes, or pavilion configurations for 2027 had not been published as of June 2026. ## Where EDEX sits in the defence calendar EDEX occupies a unique position as Africa's largest land-hosted defence exhibition and the only major show on the continent organised directly by a national armament authority. It shares the winter calendar window with few competitors, sitting well apart from Eurosatory (June, Paris) and IDEX (February, Abu Dhabi), giving global primes a distinct opportunity to engage Egyptian and pan-African procurement authorities without calendar conflict. Within the North Africa and Middle East circuit, it is complemented by DIMDEX (Qatar) and the Saudi defence events cycle. ## Who attends EDEX Exhibitors span the full spectrum of global defence primes: Diehl Defence, Fincantieri, Naval Group, Northrop Grumman, Dassault, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, and Thales all sponsored or participated in EDEX 2025. National pavilions from 25 countries were present at the 2025 edition. Visitor audiences are predominantly professional: procurement officers, military chiefs, senior government officials, and technical specialists. Official delegations from more than 100 countries attended in 2025, reflecting Egypt's extensive bilateral military relationships. ## What the EDEX format includes The exhibition occupies four halls at the EIEC providing over 40,300 m2 of indoor exhibition space, supplemented by outdoor display areas for large platforms. The format combines a main trade floor with an Official Delegation Programme, a hosted VIP access track that facilitates protocol-level meetings between foreign procurement heads and Egyptian counterparts. Live and static equipment displays are a core feature. A conference and seminar programme runs alongside the exhibition floor, though specific programme details for 2027 were not available at time of verification. ## What EDEX covers EDEX covers the full breadth of defence and security technology: - Land systems: armoured vehicles, artillery, infantry equipment, logistics - Maritime systems: naval vessels, underwater systems, coastal surveillance - Air systems: aircraft, UAVs, missiles, C4ISR, air defence - Cyber, communications, and electronic warfare - Defence electronics, sensors, and optronics - Training, simulation, and sustainment services ## The 2025 edition in numbers *(organiser-declared)* | | | |---|---| | Exhibitors | 450+ | | Countries represented (exhibitors) | 86 | | National pavilions | 25 | | Official delegations | 100+ countries | | Visitors | ~45,000 | | Exhibition area | 40,300+ m2 (4 halls) | | Edition number | 4th (EDEX 2025) | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### Is EDEX open to the public? No. EDEX is a trade-only, accredited event. Access is restricted to qualified defence and security professionals, government officials, and registered industry representatives. Attendance requires pre-registration and eligibility screening. The organiser enforces a strict admission policy. ### Who organises EDEX and what is its official status? EDEX is organised by the Egyptian Armament Authority, a government body under Egypt's Ministry of Defence. It operates under the direct patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This institutional backing gives the event state-level authority and direct access to Egyptian military procurement structures. ### How often does EDEX take place? EDEX is biennial, held in odd-numbered years in December. The cycle to date: 2018 (inaugural), 2021, 2023, 2025, with 2027 confirmed as the next edition. ### Does EDEX host live demonstrations? Yes. The EIEC complex accommodates both indoor and outdoor display areas. Static and live equipment demonstrations have featured at previous editions, including large ground vehicles and systems. Specific demonstration formats for 2027 are not yet published. --- ## The venue: Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC) The Egypt International Exhibition Centre (EIEC) is located in New Cairo, 5th Settlement, on the El Moshir Tantawy Axis, Cairo Governorate. The facility comprises four exhibition halls providing over 40,300 m2 of covered exhibition space, with adjacent outdoor areas suited to large-platform display. Cairo International Airport is approximately 18 km from the venue, serving over 70 international destinations. By road, the EIEC has direct motorway access from the city's main highway. Visitor parking is located outside the EIEC perimeter boundary; exhibitor and delegation vehicles require advance passes to enter the complex. ## The organiser: Egyptian Armament Authority The Egyptian Armament Authority (EAA) is the procurement and armaments directorate of Egypt's Ministry of Defence. It oversees the acquisition, development, and supply of defence equipment for the Egyptian Armed Forces, one of the largest military establishments in Africa and the Middle East with approximately 1.2 million personnel. The EAA created EDEX in 2018 as a platform to promote Egypt's defence industrial base, attract technology transfer partnerships, and facilitate bilateral procurement agreements. It is also supported by the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI), the Egyptian Air Force, the Ministry of Military Production, and the National Service Products Organisation (NSPO). --- ## Editorial take *EDEX is not merely a trade show; it is a tool of Egyptian state strategy, using presidential patronage and direct military procurement access to position Cairo as the indispensable gateway for global defence companies targeting the African and Arab world.* --- ## How to register and what it costs Visitor registration is conducted through the official EDEX website (edex25registration.macber.cloud was the portal for EDEX 2025; the EDEX 2027 registration portal had not launched as of June 2026). Attendance is free for qualified professionals; however, eligibility screening and pre-registration are mandatory. Exhibitor and stand enquiries are handled directly through the EDEX website exhibiting enquiry form. Compliance and eligibility-to-exhibit criteria apply; the organiser publishes a compliance policy on the official site. Pricing for exhibition stands is not publicly disclosed. ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### Do I need a visa to attend EDEX in Cairo? Most non-Egyptian attendees require a visa to enter Egypt. Egypt operates an e-visa system for many nationalities, available through the official Egyptian e-visa portal. The EDEX website includes travel and accommodation guidance; delegates attending as part of national pavilions or official delegation programmes often receive facilitated visa support from their respective embassies or organiser contacts. ### What is the language of the event? Arabic and English are both used at EDEX. Exhibition materials, signage, and conference sessions are typically available in both languages. International delegations and exhibitors operate primarily in English. ### Is there accommodation advice on the official site? Yes. The EDEX website includes a Travel and Accommodation section with guidance on hotels and official carriers. EgyptAir served as the official carrier for EDEX 2025. The EIEC is in New Cairo, approximately 18 km from Cairo International Airport, with several international hotel properties in the vicinity. --- ## First time at EDEX? How to prepare - **Register early and verify your credentials.** Accreditation for EDEX fills quickly and the compliance screening process can take several days. Complete your visitor or exhibitor registration as soon as the portal opens and have your professional credentials, company registration, and any required export-compliance documentation ready. - **Book flights via Cairo and plan for the December calendar.** Cairo International Airport is 18 km from the EIEC and serves major international hubs. December in Cairo is cool and dry; business attire appropriate for an official defence event is the standard, leaning toward formal. - **Apply for the Official Delegation Programme if eligible.** If you are travelling as a government official or senior procurement authority representative, apply through your embassy or national defence ministry for inclusion in the hosted Delegation Programme, which provides structured bilateral meeting access with Egyptian procurement officials. - **Pre-book meetings before you arrive.** The show floor is large (40,300+ m2) and exhibitor density is high. Use the exhibitor list published on the EDEX website in advance to identify priority targets and arrange meetings before the event opens. Walk-up meeting availability at large stands is limited. - **Arrive on day one.** The opening ceremony and VIP delegation events concentrate high-level contacts in the first 24 hours. Official inauguration by the Egyptian presidency draws the densest government and military audience of the entire show. - **Plan for transport within New Cairo.** The EIEC is not easily walkable from central Cairo hotels. Factor in official shuttle buses (available for registered participants), taxi apps (Uber and Careem operate in Cairo), or pre-arranged transport through your hotel or pavilion manager. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://www.egyptdefenceexpo.com | | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/edex-egypt-defence-expo | | X | https://twitter.com/visitedex | | Register | https://www.egyptdefenceexpo.com/visitor-information | | Programme | not disclosed (not yet published for 2027) | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-12-10 **Notes:** Figures (450+ exhibitors, 86 countries, 45,000 visitors, 100+ delegations) are organiser-declared for EDEX 2025. EDEX 2027 registration portal not yet live as of June 2026. Wikipedia and official site cross-referenced. Inaugural edition figures (373 companies, 41 countries, 10,000 visitors) from TASS/NationShield press coverage of EDEX 2018. **Variables:** 42/58 **Concept definition:** applicable