Turkish defence companies have taken part in both editions of Egypt’s El Alamein Airshow. In 2024, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, Baykar, SDT and HAVELSAN exhibited, with HÜRJET and BAHA flying demonstrations. In 2026, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN and MKE led the Turkish presence and the Turkish Stars flew. The headline outcome was a HAVELSAN–AOI sales agreement for the Hamza-1 VTOL UAV, signed on 10 September 2026. No KAAN or other aircraft deal was announced.
2024: a broad Turkish line-up at the first edition
The inaugural El Alamein Airshow took place in early September 2024 at El Alamein airport near Alexandria. Anadolu Agency reported that five Turkish firms took part: TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, Baykar, SDT and HAVELSAN. Each brought a different part of Türkiye’s aerospace and defence portfolio, from manned aircraft to unmanned systems and training technology.
- TUSAŞ: HÜRJET demonstration flights from the first day of the show, plus a KAAN model and other products. Readers can find more background in our TUSAŞ company profile.
- Baykar: a 128 m² stand with a full-size Bayraktar KALKAN mock-up and 1/10-scale models of the Akıncı and TB2.
- ASELSAN: the TOLUN guided munition and the ASELFLIR-500.
- SDT: a 50 m² stand covering avionics, electronic warfare, simulation and the ACMI air combat training system.
- HAVELSAN: its BAHA UAV flew a demonstration.
The 2024 presence was mainly about visibility. Flying displays and full-size mock-ups put Turkish products in front of Egyptian and regional delegations.
2026: the second edition and a sharper Turkish focus
The second edition ran from 8 to 10 September 2026 at El Alamein International Airport in El Dabaa. According to Egyptian defence ministry figures cited by Defense Türkiye, the event drew more than 250 exhibitors from about 50 countries.
Coverage by Defense Türkiye, Hürriyet and Al-Monitor shows three main Turkish exhibitors:
- TUSAŞ promoted the KAAN fighter through a model. No KAAN aircraft flew at the show.
- ASELSAN presented radar, electronic warfare, communications and precision-guided munitions.
- MKE showcased the TOLGA short-range air defence system. TOLGA combines radar, electro-optics, jammers and 35mm, 20mm and 12.7mm guns.
The flying programme also had a Turkish element. Defense Türkiye reported that the Turkish Stars aerobatic team performed alongside the Saudi Hawks, the UAE’s Fursan Al Emarat and a Russian Su-57.
What was signed and announced in 2026
The most concrete result came on the final day. On 10 September 2026, Anadolu Agency reported that HAVELSAN and Egypt’s AOI had signed a sales agreement for the Hamza-1, a VTOL UAV the two partners developed together. The agreement turns a joint development effort into a commercial arrangement. Neither the quantity nor the price was disclosed.
MKE also used the show to announce “Zafer”, its company in Cairo. Hürriyet and Anadolu Agency both reported the move. It adds an industrial footprint to MKE’s product display and fits a wider pattern of Türkiye–Egypt industrial cooperation, which also includes discussion of joint MILGEM warship building.
2024 vs 2026 at a glance
| Item | 2024 (first edition) | 2026 (second edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Dates and venue | Early September; El Alamein airport near Alexandria | 8–10 September; El Alamein International Airport, El Dabaa |
| Turkish firms highlighted | TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, Baykar, SDT, HAVELSAN | TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, MKE, plus HAVELSAN (signing) |
| TUSAŞ | HÜRJET demo flights; KAAN model | KAAN promoted (model only; no aircraft flew) |
| ASELSAN | TOLUN, ASELFLIR-500 | Radar, EW, communications, PGMs |
| Unmanned systems | Baykar KALKAN mock-up, Akıncı/TB2 models; BAHA demo flight | Hamza-1 VTOL UAV sales agreement (HAVELSAN–AOI) |
| Air defence | Not reported | MKE TOLGA short-range system |
| Flying display | HÜRJET, BAHA | Turkish Stars aerobatic team |
| Agreements and announcements | None in cited reporting | Hamza-1 sales deal (10 Sep); MKE’s Cairo company “Zafer” |
| Show scale | Not stated in sources | 250+ exhibitors, about 50 countries (Egyptian MoD figures) |
What is not known or confirmed
- Hamza-1 deal terms: the number of UAVs and the contract value have not been disclosed.
- KAAN: Defense Türkiye reported that no deal for KAAN or any other aircraft was announced at the show. Any future arrangement remains unconfirmed.
- Zafer’s scope: the cited reports do not detail Zafer’s production plans, workforce or timelines.
- Other firms in 2026: the sources focus on TUSAŞ, ASELSAN and MKE. Whether Baykar or SDT exhibited in 2026 is not established in the available reporting.
FAQ
Which Turkish companies attended the El Alamein Airshow?
In 2024, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, Baykar, SDT and HAVELSAN took part. In 2026, reporting highlighted TUSAŞ, ASELSAN and MKE. HAVELSAN signed a sales agreement with AOI, and the Turkish Stars flew in the display.
Did Egypt sign a deal for the KAAN fighter?
No. According to Defense Türkiye, no deal for KAAN or any other aircraft was announced at the 2026 show. KAAN was shown as a model and did not fly.
What is the Hamza-1?
The Hamza-1 is a VTOL UAV jointly developed by HAVELSAN and Egypt’s AOI. The two sides signed a sales agreement on 10 September 2026. Quantity and price were not disclosed.
Sources
- Anadolu Agency — Turkish defence firms exhibit at Egypt airshow, 5 September 2024
- Defense Türkiye — El Alamein Airshow 2026, Türkiye, Egypt and KAAN, 10 September 2026
- Al-Monitor — Turkish defence firms at the Alamein airshow, September 2026
- Hürriyet — KAAN and TOLGA in the Middle East, 2026
- Anadolu Agency — HAVELSAN and AOI sign Hamza-1 sales deal, 10 September 2026
- Anadolu Agency — MKE sets up company in Egypt, 2026
Featured image: Adrian Pingstone via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Illustrative photo.