WDS 2026: Egypt Unveils Hamza-3 Loitering Munition After Successful Flight Tests.

Egypt has unveiled the Hamza-3 loitering munition at the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, presenting the system in a complete operational configuration. The display signals growing maturity in Egypt’s domestic precision strike and unmanned weapons development under state-led industrial programs.

The Arab Organization for Industrialization, Egypt’s state-owned defense manufacturing group, has presented the Hamza-3 loitering munition at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, marking a notable milestone in the country’s unmanned weapons portfolio. Displayed as a fully integrated system, the platform follows a phase of flight testing that validated its navigation and targeting functions.
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The Hamza-3 is presented with a configuration integrating a jet engine, associated with a stated average speed of 500 km/h (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Hamza-3 is presented as the latest evolution of the Hamza family, with a stated range of up to 1,800 kilometers. This places the system in the category of very long-range loitering munitions intended to engage targets located deep inside contested areas, without direct exposure of manned platforms. The drone is equipped with electro-optical sensors and anti-jamming systems, enabling operations in degraded electromagnetic environments. According to program representatives, the Hamza-3 is capable of identifying moving targets and features with swarming capabilities, allowing coordinated engagements involving multiple platforms.

The airframe adopts a flying-wing configuration built from composite materials, with an overall length of approximately 2,850 mm, a wingspan of 2,620 mm, and a height of 600 mm. The manufacturer states that the system is designed to operate within a temperature range from minus 20 degrees Celsius to plus 50 degrees Celsius, with structural characteristics adapted to hot, humid, and challenging environments. Radar signature reduction measures are also highlighted, including multiband radar-absorbing coatings and modular devices intended for specific uses, including training.

The Hamza-3 is presented with a configuration integrating a jet engine, associated with a stated average speed of 500 km/h. Maximum endurance is indicated at up to ten hours for fire-and-forget mission profiles, while the maximum payload is stated at 50 kg. Maximum takeoff weight is given as 210 kg, positioning the system between traditional loitering munitions and heavier strike drones, with sufficient payload capacity to integrate different types of military warheads depending on operational requirements.

Navigation and guidance rely on a combination of multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System receivers and a redundant inertial navigation system. Anti-jamming features are integrated to maintain navigation and targeting accuracy in contested environments. Operating modes include autonomous and semi-autonomous profiles, with the ability to designate fixed or moving targets and adjust mission parameters in flight through encrypted data links.

The sensor payload includes an electro-optical and infrared turret combining a daylight camera and a thermal sensor, supported by a laser rangefinder with a stated operating range between 50 and 3,000 meters and an accuracy of approximately one meter. Artificial intelligence-assisted identification functions are also integrated to support target recognition and classification. The secure data link enables real-time transmission of video and telemetry, with a stated direct range of 150 km, extendable to 250 km through airborne relays, and allows the simultaneous control of multiple drones from a single ground control station.

The Hamza-3 is designed for rapid deployment, with launch options including rocket-assisted launch or pneumatic catapult, without reliance on fixed infrastructure. Recovery can be conducted by parachute when the mission profile does not involve terminal impact. The system is presented as operable by a small team, with simplified logistics and short preparation times, facilitating deployment from remote or austere locations.

The presentation of the Hamza-3 at World Defense Show 2026 illustrates AOI’s intent to position itself in the long-range loitering munition segment, an area characterized by rapid diffusion and increasing integration into contemporary military doctrines. The broader adoption of such systems, combining extended range, autonomous functions, and modular payloads, raises questions related to proliferation and capability balances. Through the Hamza-3, AOI introduces a platform aligned with these trends, reflecting the evolving industrial and strategic priorities of Egypt in the defense sector.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.