China performs 1st Air Exercise Set with Egypt and mobilizes African base fighters

The Popular Liberation Army Air Force of China (ELP) participates in its first joint military exercise with Egypt, called “Eagles of Civilization 2025”. The maneuvers began on Saturday, 20, at an Egyptian air base and should occur by early May.

The information was confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense of China, which signed a prior agreement with the Egyptian Armed Forces for training.

Chinese participation involves the J-10C and J-10S fighters, the YU-20 tanker and the early warning aircraft KJ-500. Egypt employs the MIG-29 fighters in its contribution to joint air operations.

The schedule of the exercise includes practical missions and theoretical sessions aimed at standardizing combat strategies, as informed by the Chinese state channel CCTV and the Egyptian portal Ahram Online.

The training covers coordinated missions, flight planning, confrontation tactics and air replenishment. Experts point out that the mobilization demonstrates China’s ability to perform long -distance operations and reinforces the projection of its Air Force outside the national territory.

Logistics structure and mobilization

According to CCTV state broadcaster, the Chinese delegation covered approximately 6,000 kilometers in an operation that involved combined air transport. All the equipment and the military staff arrived in Egypt on April 15. It is the first joint exercise between the two armed forces.

The Chinese mobilization included the sending of the YU-20, which provides air replenishment to J-10C fighters, expanding its operational autonomy.

The aircraft tank can also theoretically be compatible with Egyptian Mig-2, according to military expert Zhang Xuefeng, in an interview with the state newspaper Global Times. The possibility of joint replenishment has not yet been officially confirmed.

The early warning system KJ-500, also present in the exercise, has the function of collecting and distributing real-time tactical information, expanding the situational awareness of the aircraft involved. The model integrates air command capabilities and missions control.

Technical evaluation

Wang Ya’nan, Chief editor of the magazine Aerospace Knowledgetold the Global Times that the grouping between the models sent to Egypt represents an essential part of the ELP Air Force combat structure. According to him, the equipment operates in an integrated way and are designed for joint performance in combat missions with tactical coordination.

For Wang Yunfei, also cited by the Chinese state press, the exercise allows to evaluate the performance of Chinese equipment in external environments and in different conditions from those present in the national territory. He pointed out that the operation highlights the ELP’s ability to carry out strategic displacements and adapt to various geographical scenarios.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EXERCISE

The China Ministry of Defense reported that the exercise aims to deepen practical cooperation with Egypt, strengthen confidence between the two countries and expand the exchange of military experiences.

The Egyptian Armed Forces, in turn, classified training as part of a broader strategy of intensifying defense relations with China.

Second note published by the portal Ahram Onlinesessions include theoretical training, execution of aerial missions and coordinated actions focused on increasing interoperability between the two forces.

The activity also seeks to raise the level of operational readiness of pilots and crews to respond to different types of threat.

Zhang Xuefeng added that the exercise may include technical knowledge exchange among the staff, with pilots visiting and inspecting the aircraft of the other country. This type of cooperation is often used as a basis for future defense sectors.

International context and strategic defense

Performing joint military exercises with Middle East countries represents a step in expanding China’s presence in strategic regions.

According to Chinese analysts, Egypt can use the experience to evaluate equipment produced by the Chinese aerospace industry with a view to future modernizations in its fleet.

Cooperation between the two countries is part of a Chinese strategy for strengthening diplomatic and military ties with countries outside their immediate surroundings.

The joint action is also aligned with the policy of “military cooperation with friendly countries”, released in recent statements from the China Ministry of Defense.

This edition of the “Eagles of Civilization” exercise takes place at a time of expansion of the Chinese defense industry in the international market. According to military sources, the demonstration of the operational capabilities of the ELP aircraft can serve as a showcase for exports and bilateral agreements.

The Activity Program will continue in the coming weeks, scheduled for new tests, simulations and technical sessions aimed at deepening tactical cooperation between the two air forces. To date, none of the authorities involved has released the number of mobilized military personnel or the total aircraft involved in the exercise.

With information from Global Times