In a landmark military collaboration that underscores a shifting global defense dynamic, China and Egypt have launched their first joint aerial exercise, Eagles of Civilization 2025. The drills began on April 19 at Wadi Abu Rish Air Base in Egypt, with operations slated to continue through early May. Beyond the tactical significance of joint sorties and simulated combat, the exercise is a clear signal: Beijing and Cairo are exploring a new era of defense cooperation that could eventually extend into arms procurement and regional security alignment.
This initiative comes amid growing reports suggesting that Egypt is evaluating the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet for potential acquisition. Though China has denied any official transfer, the drills may serve as a proving ground for the advanced aircraft and a platform to deepen bilateral military relations. The presence of strategic assets such as the J-10C fighter, YU-20 aerial refueling tankers, and the KJ-500 early warning aircraft suggests this exercise is about far more than training.
This is the first time China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has conducted a joint drill with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF). According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), the event is “of great significance to promoting pragmatic cooperation and enhancing mutual trust and friendship between the two militaries.”
Chinese and Egyptian aircraft participating in the exercise represent a blend of advanced air combat capabilities. China has brought in J-10C single-seat fighters, a J-10S two-seater, KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft, and YU-20/YY-20A tankers. On the Egyptian side, the MiG-29M/M2 jets—Russia’s modern multirole fighters—are the primary aircraft involved.
Satellite imagery dated April 17, just two days before the drills officially began, revealed the arrival of a PLAAF Xi’an Y-20 airlifter and a KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft at Wadi Abu Rish. These were part of a larger deployment that included four to five Y-20s tracked by open-source flight monitoring platforms between April 13 and 15. These aircraft reportedly carried equipment and support personnel, with multiple stopovers, including in Dubai, before reaching Egypt.
The long-haul airlift operation highlighted China’s growing logistical muscle. Notably, none of the Y-20s transmitted callsigns, but open-source analysts identified them through ICAO codes such as 7A4403, 7A4445, and 7A425C. Several aircraft were tracked heading back to China after equipment delivery, showcasing a well-coordinated round-trip operation.
Chinese state media, including CCTV and the Global Times, emphasized the significance of the exercise in showcasing the PLAAF’s ability to operate beyond its borders, and in forging partnerships outside the traditional sphere of Chinese influence. Military expert Wang Yunfei told Global Times the drills are evidence of “good military relations” that “enhance mutual understanding and friendship.”
But this isn’t just about diplomacy or interoperability drills. According to Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, the aircraft involved are “key representatives of the PLA Air Force’s main combat equipment.” The YU-20, for instance, extends the range of J-10C fighters via aerial refueling, while the KJ-500 helps establish a comprehensive data and targeting network in the skies—critical for modern air warfare.
What’s also significant is the potential compatibility between Chinese aerial tankers and Egypt’s Russian-made aircraft. Defense analyst Zhang Xuefeng noted that the YU-20 may be capable of refueling the MiG-29M/M2, suggesting more than symbolic cooperation: the sides may be testing real-world integration possibilities.
Egypt’s military has traditionally relied on a mix of U.S., Russian, and French aircraft—F-16s, Rafales, and MiG-29s respectively. This diversity has allowed Cairo to maintain strategic autonomy and avoid overdependence on any single power. The inclusion of Chinese aircraft in its orbit signals a possible recalibration.
While the United States remains Egypt’s most prominent defense partner, Washington’s recent hesitations—especially regarding arms exports and military aid over human rights concerns—have created a vacuum. China, on the other hand, offers military hardware with fewer political conditions, making it an appealing partner for Egypt’s leadership.
Furthermore, these drills could be laying the groundwork for future acquisitions. China’s J-10CE, a modern, agile fourth-generation fighter equipped with AESA radar and advanced missiles, has already found a customer in Pakistan. Reports have swirled since 2023 about Egypt considering the J-10, with some suggesting that deliveries had already begun—claims that Beijing’s MND spokesperson Wu Qian flatly denied, calling them “total fake news.”
Nonetheless, Cairo’s long-term interest in diversifying its fleet remains a factor. China has previously supplied Egypt with K-8 trainers and FK-3 air defense systems. Displaying and test-flying the J-10C in Egyptian airspace offers the kind of trial-run exposure that marketing brochures and defense expos simply can’t match.
The Eagles of Civilization 2025 exercise didn’t materialize in a vacuum. In August 2024, the PLAAF participated in the Egypt International Air Show, showcasing its Y-20 and J-10 aircraft. In a symbolic move, the Bayi Aerobatic Team flew over the Giza Pyramids—marking their first visit to Africa and the farthest they’ve traveled for an aerial demonstration.
That visit was a diplomatic curtain-raiser for the current drills, allowing China to project a message of growing global reach and defense confidence. The Bayi team’s presence also served as soft power signaling: China was not only entering African airspace but doing so with skill, poise, and spectacle.
Ahram Online, Egypt’s state-run outlet, noted that the current drills include “a mix of theoretical and practical training sessions,” from joint mission planning to combat simulations and air sorties. These activities aim to build “operational coordination and exchange expertise,” while enhancing the combat readiness of both sides.
While Chinese media avoided explicitly naming Wadi Abu Rish as the host air base, likely for operational security reasons, satellite imagery and expert observations have filled in the gaps. The location provides an ideal training ground, far from densely populated areas, with access to diverse terrains and enough room for large-scale aerial maneuvers.
This exercise marks a significant milestone in China’s push for military diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). For Egypt, it presents an opportunity to strengthen ties with an emerging global superpower, potentially securing new technology and defense partnerships without the entanglements of traditional Western alliances.
The joint exercise also sends a message to other regional powers. If Egypt, one of the MENA region’s most influential militaries, is moving toward greater military-technical cooperation with China, others may follow. For countries wary of Western arms embargoes or political pressure, Beijing’s approach could be an attractive alternative.
Moreover, China benefits strategically by gaining access to training environments and logistical routes outside its immediate sphere. Egypt’s location offers access to both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, not to mention proximity to the Suez Canal—one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. A deeper China-Egypt military relationship could eventually shape naval and aerial routes in a region where China has already invested heavily through its Belt and Road Initiative.
While no official announcements have been made about future drills or defense agreements, the signs are unmistakable. The Eagles of Civilization 2025 is more than a one-off exercise—it’s a litmus test for a broader military relationship that includes technology exchange, equipment trials, and possibly arms deals.
If the J-10C impresses during the exercise, Cairo may eventually make an official move toward acquisition. At the same time, China gets to demonstrate not only the capabilities of its air force but also the reliability of its global deployment strategy. The logistics of flying thousands of kilometers, coordinating with foreign air traffic control, and operating in unfamiliar terrain are no small feat—and China passed this test with precision.
For now, the skies above Egypt host a rare sight: Chinese and Egyptian fighters flying side-by-side. Whether this is the start of a new military alliance or simply a mutual training experiment remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the geopolitical chessboard is shifting, and both Cairo and Beijing are making strategic moves.
