Egypt

Country Spotlight

Egypt has a history of pursuing weapons of mass destruction, and used chemical weapons during its intervention in the North Yemen Civil War of the 1960s. However, Egypt today is a strong supporter of nonproliferation efforts, including a proposal to create a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East.

Region Middle East and North Africa

1960s Deployed chemical weapons

1981 Ratified the NPT

2 Nuclear research reactors

4 Nuclear power plants under construction

Nuclear

Harbored nuclear ambitions in the 1960s but halted efforts in 1973
Proponent of WMD Free Zone in Middle East
Began construction on the fourth and last Russian-supplied nuclear reactors in July 2024

Egypt Nuclear Overview

Egypt Nuclear Facilities

Fact Sheet

Egypt Nuclear Facilities

Overview of the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection

Database

Overview of the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection

Biological

Strongly denies accusations of research into anthrax, plague, and botulinum toxin for military purposes
Limited open-source information indicating an offensive biological weapons program
Refuses to ratify BTWC, pointing to Israel’s non-membership status

Egypt Biological Overview

Fact Sheet

Egypt Biological Overview

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Missile

Possesses ballistic, cruise, and air defense missiles
Pursued indigenous programs from 1948-1970
Received missiles and assistance from North Korea, Iraq, Argentina, Russia, and the U.S.

Egypt Missile Overview

Egypt Missile Facilities

Fact Sheet

Egypt Missile Facilities

The Global Missile Defense Race: Strong Test Records and Poor Operational Performance

Report

The Global Missile Defense Race: Strong Test Records and Poor Operational Performance

Chemical

Deployed chemical weapons in the North Yemen Civil War from 1963-1967
Maintains defensive chemical weapon capabilities
Refuses to join the CWC in protest of Israel’s nuclear weapons

Egypt Chemical Overview

Fact Sheet

Egypt Chemical Overview

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

See all Treaties & Regimes

NPT

The NPT is a treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons through the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Learn More

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The BTWC mandates the elimination of existing biological weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using biological and toxin weapons.

Learn More

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosion tests on Earth. It needs eight key countries to ratify before entry into force.

Learn More

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) requires countries to destroy all chemical weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using chemical weapons.

Learn More