Egypt opens 'Octagon,' world's largest military complex, larger than Pentagon

Egypt inaugurated its new, sprawling military headquarters, dubbed 'Octagon,' east of Cairo, marking a significant and costly development in the nation's infrastructure. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attended the opening ceremony, appearing in military uniform for a rare public display. The complex, comprising eight octagonal buildings, covers approximately 90 square kilometers, an area comparable to the size of Lisbon, Portugal.

This new hub dwarfs the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defense's headquarters, making Egypt's facility the largest defense ministry building globally. Al-Sisi hailed the complex as "proof of the will of a nation that knows nothing is impossible." The inauguration was accompanied by a flyover of fighter helicopters, underscoring the military's prominence.

The estimated construction cost of 50 billion euros makes 'Octagon' one of the most expensive projects undertaken since al-Sisi assumed power. This massive expenditure comes at a time when Egypt is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades, with foreign debt reaching 143 billion euros. Many Egyptians attribute the current economic hardship to al-Sisi and his ambitious mega-projects.

Al-Sisi came to power in 2013 following a military coup. Egypt has been significantly impacted by regional conflicts, including wars in neighboring Gaza and Sudan, and the ongoing conflict in Libya. Despite these challenges, the security situation within Egypt has remained relatively stable since the unrest following the 2011 revolution.

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proof of the will of a nation that knows nothing is impossible.