President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said military capability was the basic foundation for protecting the Egyptian state.

At the end of maritime drills codenamed "Zat el Sawari" (the masts) on Thursday, Sisi underlined Egypt's constants of promoting strategic and military cooperation ties with friendly and sisterly countries to counter challenges and threats against Egyptian and Arab national security.

Sisi hailed the distinguished performance of maritime forces in protecting Egypt's coastal borders, especially in Sinai, and the navigation line of the Suez Canal and enforcing international laws at territorial waters.

Egypt is keen to upgrade maritime forces in all fields and cope with relevant scientific and technical advancement so they keep doing their assigned tasks during peace and war, he said.

The drills covered several military exercises including securing the range of naval forces, transport lines and maritime movement.

Earlier, Sisi commissioned the multi-mission frigate Tahya Misr (Long Live Egypt) during the maritime maneuvers.

He ascended the frigate, raising the Egyptian flag on it to mark its accession to the Egyptian Navy.

The frigate, that was handed over to Egypt by France, is able to respond to all types of air, marine, submarine and land threats.

Source: MENA