Russia announces joint navy drills with Egypt near Suez Canal
Story by David Averre
- Russian Navy ships, including a missile cruiser, have docked in Alexandria
Russian Navy warships will conduct joint exercises with their Egyptian counterparts close to the Suez Canal this week in Vladimir Putin's latest show of strength - this time at the gateway to southern Europe.
Russia's defence ministry reported today that a detachment of Navy ships, including the missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, docked in the port of Alexandria ahead of military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
Describing the visit as a 'business call', the ministry said the warships will host Egyptian naval representatives before engaging in various exercises with Cairo's own vessels that will include 'elements of joint manoeuvring, conduct communications and inspection training'.
The move - which will see Russian warships conduct drills close to the Suez Canal - is the latest consolidation of relations between Moscow and Cairo, which since Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rose to power in 2014 have gone from strength to strength.
It comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo today for talks with el-Sisi amid his eighth visit to the region in as many months as American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators work to hash out a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
It is fair to say the Russia-Egypt relationship is somewhat imbalanced, with Moscow providing outsized military, economic and industrial support to Cairo, not to mention vital imports of metals, minerals, and above all, grain.
In return though, Russia gains valuable influence in a highly strategic location.
Egypt is a hugely important player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, in no small part due to its control of the Suez Canal through which roughly 12% of global trade flows each year.
Cairo has also assumed a role as a key negotiator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Egypt borders Israel and Gaza and maintains relations with both sides as its representatives work closely with international partners to broker a ceasefire.
Moscow has long sought to develop relationships in the MENA region, and besides its ongoing military presence in Syria and Libya has in recent years cultivated strong ties with the Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates.
Russia is also among Iran's closest allies, with the two countries said to be on the cusp of signing an unprecedented strategic partnership that would see them collaborate more closely than ever before.
- Russia's bilateral relations with Egypt took off following former general el-Sisi's ascension to power in Cairo in 2014, which unfolded after he used his position as defence minister and commander of Egypt's armed forces to orchestrate the overthrow of former president Mohamed Morsi.
- El-Sisi quickly set about establishing positive relations with the Kremlin, and in 2015 Russia and Egypt naval vessel conducted their first ever join exercises off the port of Alexandria.
- In 2018 Russia and Egypt signed a landmark comprehensive partnership that formalised efforts to collaborate more closely across various verticals, and a year later, Egypt inked a deal for the purchase of billions of dollars' worth of Russian military tech that signalled a dramatic upgrade in Cairo's defence capabilities.
The plant, which is Egypt's first nuclear centre and the first to be built in Africa since South Africa's Koeberg plant nearly four decades ago, is being developed and fuelled by Russia's state energy company Rosatom.
- And although plans to establish a Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone have suffered significant setbacks following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Moscow appears dead set on carving out its own plot of land along the banks of one of the world's most important trade routes.
- US Secretary of State Blinken was in Cairo earlier today to meet with el-Sisi for discussions on the ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, in which Washington, Egypt and Doha are heavily involved.
When asked by reporters what he had said to Egyptian representatives in Cairo, Blinken said: 'If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say ''yes''.'
He said the plan on the table is the 'single best way' to get to a cease-fire, release the remaining hostages and improve regional security.
Russian and Egyptian Navies Conduct Joint Exercises in Mediterranean.
18 Jun, 2024 - 18:47
The cornerstone of the naval relationship is the "Friendship Bridge" series of joint exercises, which have taken place annually since 2015. These drills aim to enhance interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.
- For instance, the "Friendship Bridge 4" exercise held in the Mediterranean featured comprehensive training that included search and rescue operations, navigation, and defense tactics.
- Another notable event was in November 2020, when Egyptian naval ships participated in drills with the Russian Black Sea Fleet, marking the first time Egyptian vessels entered the Black Sea for such exercises.
- Russia has become a major arms supplier to Egypt, with substantial deals for fighter jets, helicopters, and anti-ballistic missile systems.
- This military cooperation aligns with Egypt's broader strategy to diversify its defense partnerships away from traditional allies like the United States.
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