How Ready is the Egyptian Army for Combat Amid Rising Regional Tensions?

The statement made by Egypt’s Minister of Defense, Abdel-Meguid Saqr, on Tuesday has raised many questions about the readiness of the Egyptian army. Saqr called on the Third Field Army to “maintain the highest levels of combat readiness to ensure that the armed forces can carry out their missions and responsibilities under all circumstances.”

He reaffirmed the need for “the men of the Third Field Army to uphold the highest combat preparedness, ensuring that the armed forces remain capable of fulfilling their national duties at all times.”

These remarks come amid escalating pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to force the displacement of Gaza’s residents to Egypt and Jordan. In an interview published last Monday, Trump claimed that under his proposed plan to control the Gaza Strip, Palestinians would not have the right to return.

At the same time, the Egyptian military is seeking to demonstrate its control over the Sinai Peninsula. The Second and Third Field Armies share responsibility for securing northern and southern Sinai.

The Third Field Army

The Third Field Army is one of the most significant formations of the Egyptian Armed Forces, with its headquarters in Suez. It consists of multiple divisions, each comprising several brigades that represent different branches of the armed forces.

The army’s primary responsibilities include securing Egypt’s borders and protecting key internal installations. It oversees an area stretching from Kilometer 61 on the Cairo-Suez Desert Road to the international border, covering 260 kilometers, in addition to a 400-kilometer stretch from Ras Mohammed to the Awja border crossing with Israeli occupation forces.

Additionally, the Third Field Army secures South Sinai and the Red Sea, safeguarding vital economic and tourism sites within its operational zone. It also protects military installations and economic areas in Bala’im and Abu Rudeis and is responsible for securing about 52 kilometers of the Suez Canal, working in coordination with the Second Field Army and naval forces through a unified command center.

The Third Field Army’s key formations include:

• • Infantry Division: Comprising infantry brigades.

• • Mechanized Infantry Division: Including mechanized infantry brigades.

• • Armored Division: Consisting of armored brigades.

• • Independent Armored Brigade: Operating separately from other divisions.

The Second Field Army

The Second Field Army is another major formation of the Egyptian Armed Forces, headquartered in Ismailia. Its primary mission is securing the northern part of the Suez Canal region, including Ismailia and Port Said.

It also conducts military operations in North Sinai, working in coordination with the Third Field Army under the unified command of the Eastern Canal Region.

The Second Field Army’s key formations include:

• • Armored Divisions: Including the Sixth Armored Division.

• • Mechanized Infantry Divisions: Such as the Seventh, Sixteenth, and Eighteenth Divisions.

• • Independent Mechanized Infantry Brigades: Including the 135th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, which serves as a security force for Port Said.

• • Artillery Brigades: Equipped with medium- and long-range artillery units.

• • Military Engineering Brigades: Specializing in bridge construction, water supply, and infrastructure development.

These formations enhance the Second Field Army’s ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations while supporting combat units under various field conditions.

Declining Military Ranking

Despite these military preparations, Egypt’s global military ranking has been declining. According to the military power ranking website “Global Firepower,” Egypt’s army has dropped 10 places over four years.

The site reported that Egypt fell to 19th place in the 2025 rankings, down from 15th the previous year. This raises several questions about why the Arab world’s strongest army has lost 10 positions since 2020, highlighting concerns about Egypt’s military capabilities in facing regional and international challenges.

What About the Camp David Agreement?

Egypt’s military deployments in Sinai fall under the framework of the 1979 Camp David Accords, which divided Sinai into three zones: A, B, and C.

1. 1. Zone A: Located in western Sinai near the Suez Canal, where Egypt is permitted to station a mechanized infantry division of about 22,000 troops, supported by tanks and artillery.

1. 1. Zone B: Situated in central Sinai, where Egypt is allowed to deploy four battalions of border guards (around 4,000 troops) armed with light weapons.

1. 1. Zone C: Located in eastern Sinai along the border with Israeli-occupied Palestine and Gaza, where Egyptian military presence was initially prohibited, with only civilian police forces permitted.

Due to the rise of militant threats in Sinai, Egypt and Israeli occupation forces agreed to amend some provisions of the treaty, allowing Egypt to strengthen its military presence in Zone C.

In 2021, further amendments were announced to increase the number of border guards and their capabilities in the Rafah border area to enhance security and counter terrorism.

Israeli Concerns Over Zone C

Last Friday, an Israeli military delegation visited Cairo to discuss security arrangements in border areas between Egypt and Gaza.

According to media sources, the Israeli delegation reviewed security measures along the Gaza border following the ceasefire agreements and the withdrawal from the Salah al-Din Corridor (Philadelphi Route) adjacent to Egypt’s border.

Discussions also touched on aspects of the Camp David security annex, with the Israeli side expressing concerns over the recent deployment of Egyptian military equipment and heavy weapons in Zone C.

Egyptian military officials reportedly warned their Israeli counterparts that any breach of the treaty by Israel would be met with reciprocal measures from Egypt.

Israeli officials also acknowledged the need for updates to certain security provisions of the Camp David Accords, with Egypt expressing openness to discussions under suitable conditions to avoid jeopardizing the entire agreement.

Furthermore, Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, recently stated in an interview with “Kol Barama” radio that “Egypt is investing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in modern military equipment despite facing no external threats to its borders.”

Danon questioned, “Why does Egypt need all these submarines and tanks?” He also referenced the Hamas resistance attack on October 7, 2023, suggesting it should be a cause for concern.

Military Analyst: Doubts Over Combat Readiness

Military expert Yazid Sayigh has argued that the U.S. does not view Egypt’s army as an actual combat force, pointing to the advanced age of its leadership.

In a public discussion, Sayigh stated that “Egypt’s armed forces currently have around 15,000 generals, an unprecedented figure compared to other armies, which typically maintain a hierarchical structure.”

He explained that this phenomenon is due to extended service benefits for senior officers, with retirement age increased from 58 to 62, turning the army into a largely non-combat force.

Based on his research, Sayigh noted that U.S. officials involved in military aid to Egypt do not consider it a real fighting force and do not regard it as a proper army in military terms.

Additionally, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace study highlighted the Egyptian military’s expanding role in the economy, including real estate, industry, and infrastructure projects. The report noted the army’s growing influence in the civilian market, including the sale of consumer goods at discounted prices, sparking controversy over its interference in the private sector.

This shift raises concerns about whether Egypt’s army remains a true combat force or has instead become a military-industrial entity focused on economic gains rather than defense.