China to Send Fighters, Early Warning Aircraft, Tankers and Helicopters to Egypt Airshow
Dragon Media News Desk
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force will send multiple military aircraft, including fighter jets, airborne early warning aircraft, tanker aircraft and helicopters, to participate in the second Egypt Airshow.
According to China’s Ministry of National Defense, the PLA Air Force will take part in the airshow at El Alamein International Airport from September 8 to 10 at the invitation of the Egyptian military. This will be the second time China has sent military aircraft to the Egypt Airshow.
The ministry said the participation is aimed at enhancing friendly mutual trust between the two militaries and strengthening diversified military cooperation.
Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping said the appearance of early warning aircraft, tankers and helicopters alongside fighter aircraft at an international airshow represents an important demonstration of the PLA Air Force’s system-of-systems operational capabilities.
At the inaugural Egypt Airshow in 2024, China deployed one Y-20 military transport aircraft and seven J-10 performance jets from the PLA Air Force’s August 1st Aerobatic Team. This year’s broader deployment is expected to demonstrate an integrated range of capabilities involving combat aircraft, airborne surveillance, command and control, aerial refueling and supporting platforms.
The Egypt Airshow comes amid the ongoing “Eagles of Civilization 2026” joint training between the Chinese and Egyptian air forces.
China’s Ministry of National Defense earlier said the exercise would be held in Egypt from mid-August to early September, focusing on air combat tactics, air superiority operations, combat search and rescue, and force employment drills.
Egypt’s Ministry of Defense released images on August 22 showing Egyptian MiG-29 and Rafale fighters alongside China’s J-16 fighter participating in the joint training. According to the Chinese side, this marks the first deployment of the J-16 in such a joint exercise with Egypt.
Chinese experts have described the combination of joint exercises and participation in the airshow as evidence of growing mutual trust and practical military cooperation between China and Egypt.
Song said Chinese defense equipment benefits from a domestically integrated production system, reliable maintenance support and comprehensive after-sales services. He argued that China’s defense exports are not intended to alter regional balances of power but to strengthen the security capabilities and stability of partner countries.
During the first Egypt Airshow in 2024, the Y-20 and J-10 formation flew over the Pyramids, leaving trails of colored smoke representing the national colors of China and Egypt. The flight was presented as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and their armed forces.
The 2024 event also marked the first performance by the August 1st Aerobatic Team in an African country and the Y-20’s first overseas flight performance at an international airshow.
This year’s participation by fighters, early warning aircraft, tanker aircraft and helicopters indicates that China is seeking to showcase not only the capabilities of individual military aircraft but also the PLA Air Force’s ability to integrate multiple aerial platforms into a broader operational system.
