Egypt Opens World's Largest Defence Ministry, the Octagon
Egypt has just inaugurated the Octagon, its new military headquarters situated near Cairo, which is now the largest defense ministry building globally, surpassing the Pentagon. At the inauguration, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, a former general, wore a military uniform for the first time in over a decade. This vast complex spans 90 square kilometers (34.7 square miles), making it comparable to the size of Lisbon, and includes eight octagonal buildings. Sisi described the Octagon as "evidence of a nation that knows nothing of the impossible," and the event featured a display of attack helicopters alongside him.
Key facts
- Egypt inaugurated the Octagon, the world's largest defence ministry building.
- The Octagon is located near Cairo.
- It covers 90 sq km (34.7 sq miles), the size of Lisbon.
- The complex consists of eight eight-sided buildings.
- President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi attended in military uniform for the first time in over 10 years.
- Sisi called the complex 'proof of the will of a nation that knows nothing of the impossible'.
- Attack helicopters accompanied Sisi to the opening.
- The Octagon replaces the Pentagon as the largest defence ministry building.
Entities
Institutions
- Egyptian Armed Forces
- US Defence Department
- Pentagon
Locations
- Egypt
- Cairo
- Lisbon
- Portugal