Guide to Chinese military hardware on show in Egypt during President Xi's visit

During President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Egypt, a clear showcase of Chinese military technology unfolded not in the halls of government but within Egyptian airbases. Over the past ten days, Chinese jet fighters, aerial refueling tankers, radar planes, and helicopters have been actively operating alongside the Egyptian Air Force during the final stages of the joint military exercise known as Eagles of Civilisation 2026. This marks the second iteration of the exercise, following the initial collaboration in 2025. The Chinese delegation participating in the exercise represents a larger and more diverse array of military assets compared to the previous year. These aircraft serve as a de facto display of the equipment Beijing aims to promote to Egypt and other potential buyers in the Middle East. Analysts suggest that China is capitalizing on Egypt’s dissatisfaction with its existing Russian arms procurement, particularly the stalled deal for Su-35S fighters valued at around $2 billion. This shift comes amid Egypt’s comparative testing of these Russian jets against French Dassault Rafale and U.S. F-16 models, along with ongoing restrictions on Russian defense exports due to the conflict in Ukraine. Among the aircraft showcased, the Shenyang J-16 heavy multirole fighter stands out. Six of these advanced fighters were deployed to Egypt for the exercise, the first time they have operated in Africa. However, despite their presence, the J-16 is unlikely to be part of Egypt’s future fleet. As a 4.5-generation aircraft derived from the Russian Su-30, it plays a critical role in China’s own military operations. Russia granted China a license to manufacture the Su-30 in 1996 but prohibited its sale to third countries. Consequently, the J-16 is primarily being used for demonstration purposes rather than export intent. In contrast, the J-10C medium-weight fighter appears to be the model China is actively pushing for Egypt. This aircraft has a complex origin story, involving significant contributions from Israeli aerospace firms in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following the cancellation of Israel’s Lavi fighter program under U.S. pressure, much of the design work reportedly influenced the J-10 series. The J-10C gained notable combat credibility in May 2025 when Pakistani air force units claimed to have shot down Indian Rafales using Chinese PL-15 long-range missiles. According to the Pentagon’s 2025 China Military Power Report, Pakistan has acquired 36 of these fighters. Another highlight of the demonstration is the Shenyang J-35, a newer twin-engine stealth fighter developed by China. The J-35 bears a striking resemblance to the American F-35 Lightning II, prompting public comments from U.S. officials who believe that cyber-espionage targeting Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program in the late 2000s played a role in shaping the J-35’s design. Although the J-35 did not participate directly in the current exercise, its inclusion in the broader presentation underscores China’s ambitions to compete with Western powers in high-tech military aviation. The exercise itself reflects a deeper strategic alignment between Egypt and China. With Egypt having previously relied heavily on Russian arms, the country is now exploring alternatives that align with its geopolitical interests. The timing of the exercise coincides with Xi’s state visit, reinforcing the significance of the military cooperation being demonstrated. While the J-16 is not available for export, the J-10C and potentially the J-35 could represent viable options for Egypt’s modernization efforts. The presence of these aircraft in Egypt highlights the growing influence of Chinese military hardware in the region. As Egypt continues to evaluate its defense procurement strategy, the demonstrations provide a tangible glimpse into the capabilities China is willing to offer. The exercise serves both as a practical training ground and a symbolic gesture of the deepening partnership between the two nations.