In a historic move, China has launched its first joint air force exercise with Egypt — a key U.S. ally — signaling Beijing’s growing influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The drill included cutting-edge fighter jets, radar surveillance aircraft, and aerial refueling planes, underscoring China’s ambitions to project military power far beyond its borders.
Why This Matters
The China-Egypt military exercise comes at a time when Cairo’s relationship with Washington has become increasingly strained. Recent proposals by former U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt — a move Cairo strongly opposed — have fueled tensions.
This development also marks a significant expansion of the U.S.-China rivalry into the Middle East. Already at odds over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and other geopolitical flashpoints, Beijing and Washington are now competing for influence in the MENA region.
Key Highlights from the China-Egypt Joint Drill
- The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force deployed J-10C and J-10S fighter jets, a YU-20 aerial refueling tanker, and a KJ-500 radar surveillance aircraft, according to open-source intelligence and security publications.
- Egyptian forces participated with their MiG-29 jets, as reported by China’s state-run Global Times.
- This is the first time the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft has joined an international military exercise, as noted by Army Recognition, a Belgium-based defense magazine.
- Flight-tracking data indicated that multiple Chinese military aircraft, including at least five Y-20 transport planes and one KJ-500, landed in Egypt via the United Arab Emirates, according to Aviation Week.
Strategic Context and U.S. Concerns
This collaboration with Egypt occurs as the United States bolsters its own military presence in the Middle East, partly in response to rising tensions with Iran. Meanwhile, Egypt is emerging as a potential market for Chinese arms exports, reflecting Beijing’s strategic ambitions in the region.
Despite this, U.S. military aid to Egypt remains strong, with Cairo receiving $1.3 billion in U.S. assistance in 2024, according to Reuters. However, this joint drill marks China’s second military deployment to Egypt within a year, hinting at a shift in regional defense alignments.
What Experts Are Saying
- Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesperson (via Facebook):
“The exercise, held over several days at an airbase in Egypt, aims to unify combat concepts between both nations through a series of theoretical and practical sessions.” - Chinese Defense Ministry:
“This marks the first joint training between China and Egypt’s militaries, playing a key role in strengthening cooperation, mutual trust, and friendship.” - Naval Analyst Eric Wertheim, to the U.S. Naval Institute:
“A critical concern with Chinese weapons, even those modeled after Western systems, is that many remain untested in actual combat scenarios.”
What’s Next?
The joint air force training exercise, codenamed “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” runs from mid-April through early May 2025. With China’s increased military engagements in the Middle East, analysts expect further developments in its regional defense partnerships and geopolitical positioning.
Related Visuals:
- A half-scale model of the J-35A stealth fighter jet was displayed at Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
- A Chinese fighter jet was recently seen flying above Pingtan Island, the closest Chinese territory to Taiwan.