Military Production Minister pledges investment growth, industry modernization
Mohamed Salah El-Din Mostafa, Minister of State for Military Production, affirmed that Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries Company (Factory 100 Military) is a cornerstone of Egypt’s engineering and steel production sector. As a leading industrial entity in the Middle East, the company operates state-of-the-art production lines and boasts a highly skilled workforce. It also possesses advanced technological capabilities, including thermal and surface treatments that enhance the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of metal components.
The minister made these remarks during a surprise inspection tour of the company, arriving during employee attendance hours to assess adherence to work schedules and production plans.
During the unannounced visit, he inspected the production lines and the final assembly workshop for military products. Factory 100 plays a vital role in supporting the armed forces by manufacturing various calibers of heavy and medium artillery, rapidly deployable assault bridges, special-purpose steel, and armored steel—an essential component for producing combat and defense equipment, including armored vehicles and tanks. The company also leverages its surplus production capacity to manufacture engineering products such as cold- and hot-rolled steel sheets, billet steel for iron and steel production, components for waste-to-organic-fertilizer plants, and corrosion-resistant water and fuel tanks. These products are integrated into national projects and adhere to the highest quality standards using the latest production technologies.
Bassem Hassan Salman, Chairperson of Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries, provided the minister with an overview of ongoing and upcoming projects, production rates, and sales performance.
The minister stressed the importance of strict industrial safety measures, particularly in high-temperature environments and operations involving heavy machinery. He also emphasized the need to attract further investments and establish strategic partnerships across various sectors, particularly with private enterprises, aligning with the ministry’s focus on modernization, technology localization, and expanded industrial collaboration. Additionally, he underscored the importance of performance enhancement, maintaining production quality, safeguarding company assets, adhering to project timelines, and investing in workforce development.
In a related visit, the minister conducted an unannounced inspection of the Military Armored Production and Repair Factory (Factory 200 Military), a key industrial pillar of the ministry. He assessed workflow and inspected the main production line, which is critical to the manufacturing and maintenance of tanks and armored vehicles for the armed forces.
Among the facility’s flagship military products are the “Raad 200” rocket launcher and the “Sina 200” armored vehicle. Beyond defense production, Factory 200 leverages its surplus capacity to manufacture civilian products, including food carts, fuel tanks, and mobile classrooms. It actively contributes to national projects in collaboration with various government entities, such as green transportation initiatives. These include the production of the “SETIBUS” electric bus—operating in Cairo and Alexandria’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system—and the conversion of public transport buses to run on natural gas instead of diesel. The factory also houses a pioneering complex for producing environmentally friendly cardboard packaging from banana tree fiber waste.
During the visit, Wafiq Magdy Shafiq, Chairperson of Factory 200, provided updates on ongoing projects, development and marketing strategies, and production supply availability. The minister emphasized the need for stringent governance and internal oversight, maintaining organized and clean storage areas, and adhering to scheduled maintenance to ensure production line efficiency and longevity. He also highlighted the importance of regularly reviewing production plans, inventory levels, and cybersecurity measures.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to continuous on-site monitoring, the minister stressed that direct oversight of affiliated entities is essential for evaluating operational efficiency, optimizing productivity, and tailoring improvements to meet evolving industry demands.
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