Egypt Opens New Defense Headquarters 39 Times Larger Than Pentagon

The complex covers more than 35 square miles and contains ten eight-sided buildings. The center serves as headquarters for the Ministry of Defense and includes a coordination center, a strategic data center, a communications control center, and emergency operations facilities. It also contains places of worship, schools, hospitals, residential areas, and commercial facilities.

Fatah al Sisi attended the opening in military uniform and addressed assembled personnel. He said the choice of location was deliberate and described the center as an embodiment of a new republic. Sisi stated the facility would support both military operations and the state’s ability to manage crises through integrated data and communications systems.

Background and Context Construction began in 2016.

The project has drawn criticism over its cost, with estimates ranging from $60 billion to more than $80 billion. Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S. military aid after Israel. The Washington Examiner reported that Sisi referenced recent diplomatic agreements involving the United States in his remarks.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the Egyptian Embassy, the State Department, and the Department of War for comment.