In a striking display of military cooperation and geopolitical realignment, China has deployed its advanced J-10C multirole fighter jets to Egypt for the first time as part of the joint air exercise “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” which officially began on April 19. The drills mark a historic milestone—the first time China and Egypt have conducted joint air force training, reflecting a broader strategy of mutual military development and political synergy between Beijing and Cairo.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced the exercise on April 16, stating that it would run from mid-April through early May. According to the Ministry, the purpose of the joint training is “to promote pragmatic cooperation and enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two militaries.”
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has brought some of its most formidable aerial assets to the drills. These include J-10C fighters from both the 18th and 177th Air Brigades, the Y-20U aerial refueling aircraft, and the KJ-500 early warning and control platform. Egypt, in turn, has deployed its Russian-made MiG-29M/M2 Fulcrum fighters, forming a diverse lineup that reflects Cairo’s growing inclination to diversify its defense partnerships.
The joint drills are being held roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) from the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most strategic maritime chokepoints. The proximity of these exercises to such a vital artery for global trade adds a layer of geopolitical weight to the training. For China, this is an opportunity to operate in a region where it has long sought to expand influence. For Egypt, it’s a chance to test and potentially integrate Chinese platforms within its own military framework.
Video footage from the opening day of the exercise has already circulated widely online, showing J-10C and J-10S aircraft flying alongside twin-seat MiG-29M2s and at least two YY-20 aerial tankers. The presence of these assets suggests the drills are designed not only for basic coordination but for more advanced operations, including aerial refueling and joint command and control.
The J-10C’s inclusion is perhaps the most telling component of this exercise. A highly maneuverable, fourth-generation fighter, the J-10C is the centerpiece of China’s medium-weight multirole capabilities. It boasts an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, beyond-visual-range missile capability, and electronic warfare systems comparable to modern Western fighters such as the F-16V.
Speculation has been mounting that Egypt may be seriously considering the purchase of the J-10C to supplement and modernize its aging and diverse fighter fleet. This speculation gained traction when the aircraft made a high-profile debut at the Egypt International Air Show in September 2024. In February 2025, some local Egyptian outlets claimed that a deal had already been struck, prompting the Chinese Defense Ministry to publicly deny the reports, calling them “fake news.”
Nonetheless, defense analysts believe the joint drills could serve as a live demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities—essentially turning the desert skies over Egypt into an open-air showroom for potential buyers.
Egypt’s air force is currently built around a diverse mix of American, Russian, and French aircraft. It has long flown F-16s acquired through its decades-old relationship with the United States, alongside MiG-29s from Russia and Rafales from France. However, that balance may be tilting. A planned purchase of Su-35s from Russia was reportedly canceled under pressure from the United States, which warned of sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The Russia-Ukraine war has also complicated Cairo’s ability to maintain and procure spare parts for its Russian aircraft. This has led to questions about the long-term viability of a mixed fleet, and increasing interest in new, strategically unencumbered alternatives—like the J-10C.
The appeal of the J-10C lies not just in its capability but in its cost and availability. A J-10C unit costs between $40–50 million—roughly half the price of its Western counterparts. With fewer political strings attached, China’s aircraft offer developing and strategically constrained nations a pathway to modernize their fleets without compromising their foreign policy autonomy.
These drills and Egypt’s potential pivot toward Chinese arms come at a moment of friction with the United States. While Egypt has long been one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid—receiving approximately $1.5 billion in 2024 alone—the relationship has been tested by recent political developments.
In January 2025, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington would pause most forms of foreign assistance, except to Israel and Egypt. But that exception may now be in jeopardy after Cairo rejected a controversial U.S. proposal tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict. According to reports, Egypt flatly refused to absorb hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees from Gaza, leading to speculation that American aid could be further restricted or even revoked.
If the U.S. reduces or conditions aid further, it could accelerate Egypt’s turn toward China and other non-Western partners for military cooperation and procurement.
The deepening ties between China and Egypt are not occurring in isolation. They are part of a broader Chinese strategy to build influence in the Middle East, especially as traditional U.S. dominance in the region faces challenges. China has already strengthened diplomatic and defense relationships with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE. It has also emerged as a quiet mediator in regional conflicts, leveraging its neutral stance to broker deals and advance its image as a stabilizing power.
Egypt, for its part, is a founding member of the expanded BRICS coalition, which now includes China, Russia, India, South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road, China is already investing heavily in Egypt’s infrastructure, including industrial parks and railway projects. Military cooperation is simply the next logical step in that deepening relationship.
If Egypt does choose to acquire the J-10C, it would be a significant win for Beijing—and a worrying development for Washington. It would make Egypt only the second known export customer of the J-10C after Pakistan, a close Chinese ally. It would also signal that even longstanding American allies are willing to diversify their defense portfolios in response to shifting global dynamics.
More broadly, the drills highlight a strategic recalibration taking place across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Countries once heavily reliant on Western arms and political backing are now increasingly hedging their bets. The diversification of weapons suppliers goes hand in hand with diversification of diplomatic and economic partnerships.
The proximity of the joint drills to the Suez Canal also sends a strategic message: China is no longer content with just economic footholds in the Middle East. It wants a military presence—or at the very least, military partnerships—that give it a seat at the table when regional security decisions are made.
For Egypt, this is a high-stakes but calculated pivot. Aligning too closely with China could alienate the U.S., but maintaining its current status quo risks stagnation and dependency. By engaging with both superpowers, Egypt is seeking to build a more independent foreign policy posture.
For China, this is a rare opportunity to showcase its military hardware, build influence in a critical region, and erode the West’s traditional strongholds—all without firing a shot. The “Eagles of Civilization 2025” drills are not just a military exercise—they’re a declaration that the geopolitical playing field is being redrawn.
Whether or not Egypt ultimately signs a deal for the J-10C, the message is clear: the future of global defense partnerships is more multipolar than ever, and China intends to be a central player.
