Paris: Egypt and France have concluded their joint naval exercise 'Cleopatra 2025,' held over several days in French territorial waters, with the participation of naval units and special forces from both countries, Egypt's Armed Forces said. The drill forms part of Egypt's program of joint military exercises with partner nations, aimed at strengthening defense cooperation and enhancing maritime security in the region.

According to State Information Service Egypt, training activities combined theoretical lectures with live operational drills designed to raise combat readiness and improve interoperability. Exercises included tactical live-fire shooting, helicopter-borne vertical assaults to storm buildings and confined spaces, and operations to counter non-traditional maritime threats. Participating forces also carried out drills on helicopter landings on naval vessels, at-sea refuelling and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations on suspected ships.

The exercise further featured live-ammunition naval gunfire to engage hostile surface targets, as well as various sailing formations demonstrating coordination, precision and rapid manoeuvring among the participating units. The main phase of the exercise was attended by Egypt's Navy Commander Vice Admiral Mahmoud Adel Fawzy and French Mediterranean and Black Sea Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Christophe Lucas, along with senior naval officers from both sides.