Egypt and China began a wide-scale joint military exercise this week, the first of its kind. The military exercise, dubbed Eagles of Civilisation 2025, began Saturday at Wadi Abu Rish Air Base, roughly 100 km west of the Gulf of Suez, and is expected to continue through to early May.
Egypt’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement on 19 April that the Egyptian-Chinese joint air training exercise began with the participation of multi-role fighter aircraft.
“The training is expected to include a number of theoretical and practical lectures to unify the combat concepts of both sides, joint air sorties and training on planning and managing air combat operations,” said the statement. “This will allow for the exchange of experiences and develop the skills of the participating forces, enabling them to carry out their assigned missions efficiently and competently.”
The statement concluded by saying “the training comes within the framework of strengthening military cooperation relations between the Egyptian and Chinese armed forces”.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defence issued its own statement on Saturday, saying that “the drill is the first joint training between the two countries’ air forces, and so it is of great and strategic importance for strengthening pragmatic cooperation, mutual trust and friendship between the two militaries.”
The military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday that the first day began with China deploying fighter jets, early warning aircraft, tanker aircraft, and helicopters. Photos released by CCTV also showed Chinese J-10C fighter jets, the YU-20 aerial refuelling tanker aircraft, at least one twin-seat J-10S and a KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, while the Egyptian side deployed Russian made Mig-29M/M2 fighter jets.
To ensure efficient deployment, the Chinese side utilised a combined transport method of air transfer and air transport via multiple countries covering a range of nearly 6,000 km, with all equipment and personnel arriving in Egypt by 15 April, CCTV reported.
Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told China’s Global Times website on Sunday that the Chinese YU-20 tanker aircraft should be compatible with the Egyptian Mig-29 fighter jets, so theoretically they may practise aerial refuelling during the drill. He added that the two sides could also practice basic manoeuvres, coordinated combat and tactical confrontation training, and that pilots from the two sides could visit each other’s aircraft.
He explained that China holding joint exercises with friendly countries like Egypt is a routine way to boost mutual trust and cooperation. It is also a good opportunity for the Egyptian Air Force to evaluate China’s advanced equipment and consider potential procurement.
Major General Hisham Al-Halabi, advisor to the Military Academy for Graduate Studies and Strategy, said that the drill comes within the framework of the Egyptian Armed Forces’ plan to strengthen military cooperation with China. “The training is the first of its kind between the two countries’ air forces, and builds on a history of military cooperation,” said Al-Halabi. He added that “Chinese J-10C and Y-20 aircraft participated in the Egypt International Air Show in 2024.”
Al-Halabi said the exercise takes on particular significance given the regional challenges facing Egypt, including tensions in the Red Sea and the Gaza conflict, with Egypt seeking to enhance its military capabilities through diverse partnerships.
Al-Halabi explained that the joint Egypt-China military drills, scheduled some time ago, include 7,000 tons of armaments on the aircraft’s undercarriages.
According to Al-Halabi, China has long expressed a wish to cooperate militarily with Egypt. “In China they are aware that Egypt is a major military force in the Middle East and the Arab world, while in Egypt we are aware of China’s highly advanced and competitive military capabilities, particularly in the field of fighter aircraft technology,” he said.
“China only selects highly qualified countries to join military exercises.”
Several international media outlets claimed Egypt may be eyeing the Chinese J-10C as a potential addition to its air force, a move that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported this week that Egypt and China had launched a wide-scale joint military exercise near the Israeli border and that the exercise comes amid growing concerns among Israeli defence officials over what they call “Egypt’s increased militarisation of the Sinai Peninsula, particularly close to the Israeli border.”
The report also cited Israeli security analysts as worrying that the Egypt-China military exercise could shift regional power dynamics and reduce Israel’s strategic flexibility.
Western media reports show that US restrictions on advanced weaponry and spare parts have repeatedly frustrated Egypt’s ambitions to maintain air superiority in a region where neighbours like Israel operate cutting-edge F-35 stealth jets.
Egypt’s air force, one of the largest in the Middle East, has long relied on a diverse fleet sourced from multiple suppliers. Its US-made F-16s, acquired in the 1980s, form the backbone of its combat capabilities, supplemented by French Rafale jets and Russian MiG-29Ms.
The diversification reflects Cairo’s strategic calculus: by sourcing aircraft from the United States, France, Russia, and now potentially China, Egypt mitigates the risk of over-dependence on a single supplier, a particular concern given past US restrictions.
Al-Halabi noted that Israel closely monitors joint military training exercises and weapon purchases carried out by the Egyptian Armed Forces, adding that “Egypt is always interested in diversifying its military arsenal and has a rational army that is not interested in attacking anyone.”
The J-10C, a fourth and fifth generation multirole fighter, and the KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft represent the cutting edge of China’s aerospace capabilities, and their deployment in Egypt underscores Beijing’s intent to showcase its military technology to potential buyers.
Former US CENTOM Commander General Joseph Votel told War Zone website that the Egyptian-Chinese military drill is a reminder that “our partners have options” and that China is positioning itself as a viable military supplier and strategic partner.
Egypt, which receives $1.3 billion in annual US military aid, has resisted proposals to absorb displaced Palestinians from Gaza and has instead proposed a rehabilitation plan for the coastal enclave. US President Donald Trump insinuated two months ago that as long as Egypt receives US military assistance, it should accept the Palestinian displacement plan.
Such constraints have pushed Egypt to explore alternatives, with China emerging as a reliable partner due to its willingness to provide advanced systems without the political conditions often imposed by Western supplies, particularly the US.
The growing military cooperation between Egypt and China comes while Cairo and Beijing are also deepening economic relations. In May 2024, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi visited Beijing where he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping celebrated the 10th anniversary of the elevation of Egyptian-Chinese relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership level. The volume of trade between Egypt and China increased from $11.9 billion in January 2022 to $15.7 billion in January 2024. Investments between Egypt and China reached $14 billion in 2023, with Beijing pumping billions of dollars into Egyptian projects, including the New Administrative Capital and the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
*Additional reporting by Ahmed Al-Deeb
* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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