Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

China supplying Egypt with satellites: what are the motives?

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Geopolitical Monitor
  • 14 Sep 2023 18:15
  • 1 Shares
6 Min Read

Egypt will become the first African country with full satellite assembly and integration testing capabilities.

  • x
  • A handover ceremony was held in New Cairo city in the Eastern Area of Cairo in Egypt for two models of a remote-sensing satellite jointly developed by Chinese and Egyptian scientists, June 25, 2023 (CASC)
    A handover ceremony was held in New Cairo city in the Eastern Area of Cairo in Egypt for two models of a remote-sensing satellite jointly developed by Chinese and Egyptian scientists, on June 25, 2023 (CASC)

A report by Arushi Singh for the Geopolitical Monitor on Thursday detailed the reasons why China has been providing Egypt with satellites for free.

According to the report, Egypt has become the first African country to have the capability to assemble, integrate, and test satellites.

This milestone was achieved with the delivery of two prototype satellites funded by China for the MisrSat II satellite project.

This development not only brings satellite manufacturing to Egypt but also positions the country as a leader in technology transfer to Africa, the report states.

Meanwhile, the delivery of the MisrSat II satellite's flight model has been scheduled for a later date.

Context

In January 2019, China and Egypt signed a $72 million grant for Egypt's space program, marking the third such grant from China for a satellite project.

Over the following years, Egyptian and Chinese engineers collaborated on operating the satellite, including its ground control station and application system.

Egypt previously announced that the MisrSat II satellite is scheduled to launch from China in October.

It will depart from Cairo on June 28 and undergo final testing in China before its launch. The satellite is designed to have a lifespan of five years from its launch date.

A handover ceremony held in Egypt for models of the MisrSat-2 projecthttps://t.co/NcH0Ov6LYg pic.twitter.com/gTvFO20ude

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 27, 2023

Ambassador Liqiang highlighted the project's significance by referring to it as achieving "four firsts," namely:

  • Egypt being the first nation to engage in satellite cooperation with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • China assisting Egypt in establishing a comprehensive satellite assembly, integration, and test center, where Chinese and Egyptian scientists and engineers will work together on the assembly and testing of Egypt's MisrSat II.
  • China providing support in building Egypt's aerospace team and providing joint training for Egyptian aerospace experts.
  • Upon project completion, Egypt will become the first African country with full satellite assembly and integration testing capabilities.

With its 2-meter high-resolution capability, the MisrSat II satellite is set to support Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development.

Egyptian officials have outlined its applications, including crop identification, mineral resource exploration, urban planning support, and coastal transformation monitoring.

This satellite transfer signifies a major accomplishment for China, representing its first comprehensive satellite test abroad and the successful implementation of a satellite cooperation project in a foreign country.

Additionally, the Egyptian Space Agency has established a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centre (LASAC) for remote sensing data.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Space Agency is engaged in discussions with Chinese enterprises for potential collaborations.

CASC has completed the assembly & testing of MisrSat-2 (EgyptSat-2) at the Chinese-built AIT in Egypt. This 350-kg remote sensing sat will be transported back to China for launch in October.https://t.co/xDWWshJ6u0 https://t.co/IlQSiVL0TC pic.twitter.com/6aFRGf9wl3

— China 'N Asia Spaceflight 🚀𝕏 🛰️ (@CNSpaceflight) June 28, 2023

Paradox?

Egypt is the third-largest recipient of US military aid worldwide, trailing only Ukraine and "Israel."

Additionally, Egypt has become a notable participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), attracting substantial Chinese investments.

Over 1,500 Chinese companies operate in Egypt across diverse sectors, such as IT, electricity, telecommunications, and transportation.

Related News

Dying satellites may contribute to climate change, ozone depletion

Erdogan hails Türksat 6A launch as milestone in domestic space tech

China and Egypt have forged a comprehensive partnership, with a cooperation portfolio worth around $1.7 billion.

This funding is directed towards various development areas, including electricity, healthcare, education, vocational training, and more.

In 2022, their collaboration expanded to encompass increased technical cooperation, focusing on capacity-building and human resource development.

This collaboration extended to entities like the Egyptian Space Agency, among other initiatives.

Read more: Space race; Cosmic dash to the dark side of the moon

Geopolitical implications

Countries like Pakistan and Egypt are increasingly looking to China for their digital infrastructure needs, considering the integration of Chinese satellite internet, including low earth orbit (LEO) broadband, due to their reliance on Chinese assets like submarine cables, fiber optics, 5G networks, and satellite ground stations.

China's economic influence in various countries also enables it to discourage the adoption of US services.

Conversely, the US, EU member states, Russia, and Taiwan are developing their satellite constellations and broadband networks.

For instance, Russia's Roscosmos has invited Algeria and Egypt to participate in a space station project, fostering their national space programs.

This space race aims to provide real-time, low-latency satellite internet for various applications, with Egypt's hosting of the African Space Agency potentially enhancing China's interest in space-related activities.

China's "Guo Wang" project seeks to create an extensive satellite network in near-Earth orbit, aiming to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink.

It involves over 12,000 satellites owned by China Satellite Network Group Co., though the launch schedule remains undisclosed.

This network's scale would rival SpaceX's plans, with rapid deployment to secure a position in low orbit, potentially countering Starlink.

Chinese satellites may also have surveillance and other "anti-Starlink" capabilities.

China's strategic focus is on emerging nations facing financial constraints, particularly those lacking satellites in orbit.

Their affordable satellites appeal to developing countries, with China offering financial aid, technology transfer, and training.

The Belt and Road Space Information Corridor is pivotal, granting participant countries access to satellite and space launch capabilities, improving resource management, weather forecasting, disaster response, and reducing reliance on US satellites.

This strategy enhances China's goodwill, influence, and access to partner capabilities.

Read more: Iran's Chabahar Space Center to be completed by March 2025

Presently, China seeks to create remote sensing satellite networks in Africa, supporting Belt and Road (BRI) partner countries' logistical integration.

China played key roles in launching Nigeria's first two communications satellites in 2007 and 2011 and deploying Algeria's initial communication satellite in 2017.

In 2018, Tunisia became the first non-Chinese host of a Beidou Satellite Navigation System ground receiving station.

Additionally, China aided Ethiopia and Sudan in launching their first satellites in 2019.

In sum

In sum, China is actively increasing its global influence in space exploration and satellite technology through ongoing collaborations and partnerships.

Providing satellites to Egypt is part of China's larger goal to expand its presence in space and satellite services, aligning with initiatives like the BRI and strengthening its strategic interests in Africa.

This move positions China to play a significant role in shaping the global landscape of satellite communication and connectivity.

Additionally, China's growing presence in the satellite industry reflects its strategic focus on emerging countries that may have limited negotiating power or control over such projects.

Read more: SpaceX launches 13 US military satellites to low-Earth orbit

  • Satellite technology
  • Egypt
  • space race
  • China
  • Starlink

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS