Overview

• The 19th edition runs from August 28 to September 10 with participation from 43 countries, according to official announcements.
• Egypt’s armed forces say more than 7,900 troops are expected to take part across this year’s iteration.
• India’s tri‑service contingent will conduct live firing, a command post exercise, short combined drills, and subject‑matter expert exchanges.
• A defence spokesperson said the deployment underscores India’s commitment to regional peace, stability and security while enhancing interoperability with partner forces.
• Held biennially since 1980 with U.S. cooperation, Bright Star has expanded from a bilateral drill into a multilateral platform, and the Indian Air Force first participated in 2023.