In an unprecedented step that signals deepening military and diplomatic ties between China and Egypt, the two nations concluded their first-ever joint aerial combat exercise, “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” on May 4. Spanning 18 days from April 19 to May 4, the high-intensity, multi-platform drills were notable for their scale, complexity, and strategic implications. The exercise brought together two very different air forces for an array of air combat missions — from mid-air refueling and formation flying to air superiority and battlefield search and rescue — over Egyptian skies.
While the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has previously conducted drills in Africa, this exercise was the first time it deployed a “systematic force” with heavy logistical support and advanced assets to the region, marking a major shift in Beijing’s projection of airpower and diplomacy.
One of the most symbolic and technically demanding maneuvers practiced during the exercise was the in-flight refueling of Egyptian Air Force (EAF) MiG-29M/M2 fighters by China’s YU-20/YY-20A aerial tankers. This showcased not only the PLAAF’s capability for long-range operations but also a level of tactical interoperability that is rarely seen in maiden drills.
The YU-20 — equipped with a three-point hose-and-drogue refueling system — was seen deploying underwing refueling pods to service the Egyptian MiG-29s, a Russian-designed platform. This compatibility between Chinese and Russian-origin systems, particularly in mid-air refueling, is strategically significant for developing nations that often operate mixed fleets.
Military researcher Andreas Rupprecht identified one of the tankers involved, tail number 11550, as belonging to the PLAAF’s elite 4th Transport Division. The aircraft were tracked on their transcontinental journey between southwestern China and Egypt, passing over the Karakoram mountain range and stopping in Dubai before reaching their destination.
The mission also saw Chinese J-10 fighters — four J-10Cs and two J-10AS twin-seaters — refueled mid-flight over the Himalayas en route to Egypt. Footage from CGTN and other Chinese media showed extended refueling hoses and J-10s flying in tight formation behind the YU-20, emphasizing the logistical sophistication of the deployment.
The Chinese contingent included nine aircraft: six J-10 fighters, one YU-20A tanker, a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system, and a Y-20 transport plane. A Z-20 tactical helicopter — China’s analog to the U.S. Black Hawk — was also transported via Y-20 and likely used in battlefield search and rescue drills.
Satellite imagery from April 17 captured a KJ-500 and a Y-20 at Egypt’s Wadi Abu Rish air base, indicating early arrival and operational staging prior to the formal start of the drills.
Notably absent from any official footage were weapons loads. All aircraft flew “clean,” with no external munitions or missiles, suggesting that the exercise may have excluded a live-fire component — or kept such activities outside the view of official media. This discretion is not unusual for a first-time exercise, especially one laden with political and diplomatic undertones.
The exercise culminated with a joint aerial flypast over the pyramids of Giza on May 1, offering a symbolic spectacle of unity and technological capability. Video footage showed mixed formations of Egyptian and Chinese aircraft — a visual statement of emerging geopolitical partnerships and military alignment. It was a pointed reminder that Egypt, historically a Western-aligned military partner, is increasingly open to Chinese defense collaboration.
Though speculation had circulated in recent years that Egypt might purchase Chinese J-10s, this exercise appeared to put those rumors to rest. The J-10s deployed to Egypt returned home, and sources confirmed they were not part of any export arrangement. Instead, the Y-20s carried a substantial payload of ground personnel, training teams, and logistical equipment — suggesting the focus was on experience-building rather than procurement showcases.
The presence of the Z-20 helicopter in new visuals released toward the end of the drills suggested its involvement in search and rescue operations — a capability crucial for any modern air force in combat scenarios. Though absent from initial footage, the Z-20’s appearance hinted at layered training sequences that evolved over the 18-day period.
Its deployment also underlines the PLAAF’s growing ability to integrate rotary-wing assets into large-scale, multi-domain exercises. This reflects China’s increasing investment in holistic military mobility — one that includes troop transport, airborne assault, and SAR (Search and Rescue).
It’s no coincidence that the drills began on April 19, just three days after China’s Ministry of National Defense announced them publicly. Behind the scenes, this level of coordination likely took months of diplomatic planning. Both sides appeared eager to present the drills as routine and transparent, countering narratives of secrecy or provocation.
“This joint training marked the first time the PLA Air Force has deployed a systematic force to Africa for such exercises,” said a Chinese military spokesperson, describing the drill as a demonstration of “rapid force projection” and “combat-oriented training.”
Chinese state media emphasized the drills’ scope and strategic depth. Analysts quoted in outlets like the Global Times and CCTV stressed the significance of long-range deployment capabilities, particularly the Y-20’s ability to transport heavy equipment — like the Z-20 — over thousands of kilometers.
Wang Ya’nan, editor of Aerospace Knowledge, noted that the exercise proved the Y-20’s heavy-lift reliability and affirmed China’s ability to conduct multi-theater aerial operations far from its borders.
For Egypt, the exercise came at a time when its military is seeking to modernize and diversify. With a defense force heavily reliant on U.S. and Russian platforms, the exposure to Chinese systems offers Cairo an alternative route for future procurement, training, and collaboration.
More than anything, the exercise provided Egypt’s pilots and planners with insight into integrated mission planning, aerial refueling dynamics, and joint command operations with a peer partner. That, in turn, enhances Egypt’s operational depth without triggering immediate geopolitical consequences.
Military analyst Shahryar Pasandideh also observed the EAF’s use of PAZ-MK buddy refueling pods on their MiG-29s — a less-than-ideal setup for land-based fighters — suggesting Egypt is keen to explore more efficient refueling solutions in partnership with external allies.
From a geopolitical standpoint, the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” exercise is more than just a training event — it’s a calculated move in the broader contest between a rising China and a strategically retreating United States. Africa, with its geostrategic location and growing economic significance, has become the latest arena in this contest.
Joint air drills like these signal to the rest of the world that China is not only ready to defend its interests abroad but also to build enduring partnerships based on operational cooperation. For nations like Egypt, it opens the door to multipolar defense strategies, breaking the mold of dependence on any single superpower.
The scope, coordination, and political overtones of the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” exercise make it more than a tactical milestone. It is a bellwether for future military cooperation between China and strategically located partners across Africa and the Middle East. It also signals the beginning of a new phase in PLA operations — one that is global, agile, and deeply embedded in diplomatic outreach.
