The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force’s J-10C fighter jet, YU-20 aerial tanker aircraft and KJ-500 early warning aircraft are participating in the ongoing first China-Egypt joint military exercise in Egypt. A Chinese expert said on Sunday that these warplanes are China’s main combat equipment that work closely together as an integrated force.
The first training day of the China-Egypt “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint air force exercise kicked off at an air base in Egypt on Saturday morning, with China deploying fighter jets, early warning aircraft, tanker aircraft and helicopters to the drill, the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.
Photos released by CCTV showed the PLA Air Force sent the J-10C and J-10S fighter jets, the YU-20 large tanker aircraft and the KJ-500 early warning aircraft to the exercise, while the Egyptian side deployed the Mig-29 fighter jets.
Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Sunday that these aircraft are key representatives of the PLA Air Force’s main combat equipment. They form as a closely coordinating system, as the YU-20 provides aerial refueling for the J-10C, significantly boosting range, while the KJ-500 can form a dense information system.
This demonstrated that the PLA Air Force attaches great importance to systematic combat, Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times on Sunday. He noted that the Chinese YU-20 tanker aircraft should also be compatible with the Egyptian Mig-29 fighter jets, so theoretically they may practice aerial refueling during the drill.
Zhang said that the two sides could also practice basic maneuvers, coordinated combat, and tactical confrontation training. It is also possible that pilots from the two sides visit each other’s aircraft. The joint training will also help lay a foundation for military exchanges and cooperation between China and Middle East countries including Egypt, said the expert.
To ensure efficient deployment, the Chinese side utilized a combined transport method of air transfer and air transport via multiple countries covering a range of nearly 6,000 kilometers, and all equipment and personnel arrived in Egypt by April 15, CCTV reported.
Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the exercise featured a long-distance maneuvering. This showed and enhanced the PLA Air Force’s ability to operate far from home, and its adaptability to diverse environments around the world.
China’s Ministry of National Defense announced on Wednesday that the PLA Air Force would participate in the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint exercise in Egypt from mid-April to early May, following an agreement between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries.
This marks the first joint training between the two countries’ militaries, and holds significant importance for promoting practical cooperation as well as boosting friendship and mutual trust between them, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.
Citing the Egyptian Armed Forces, Egyptian news outlet Ahram Online reported on Saturday that the drill is being held over several days at an airbase in Egypt and includes a mix of theoretical and practical training sessions, aiming to align combat strategies, with joint air sorties and mission planning exercises forming a core part of the program.
The training is designed to boost operational coordination and exchange expertise between the two air forces, while enhancing the readiness of pilots and crews for a range of combat scenarios, the report said, noting that the Egyptian military described the maneuvers as part of broader efforts to deepen defense ties with China and strengthen joint military capabilities.
Wang Ya’nan said that China holding joint exercises with friendly countries is a routine way to boost military mutual trust and cooperation. It is also a good opportunity for the Egyptian Air Force, which has a need to upgrade its defense equipment, to evaluate China’s advanced equipment and to consider potential procurement.