China, Egypt to Hold First Air Drill amid Rumors of Cairo's Interest in J-20 Fighter

China and Egypt are set to hold their first joint air drill later this month, amid speculation that Cairo may be considering China’s J-20 stealth fighter to counterbalance Israel’s F-35 fleet.

China’s Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday announced that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will send aircraft to Egypt for an exercise titled Eagles of Civilization 2025, scheduled to run from mid-April to early May. This marks the first-ever air drill between the two countries.

The announcement follows persistent reports that Egypt is exploring the purchase of China’s fifth-generation J-20 stealth jet—a platform often compared to the U.S.-made F-35 operated by Israel.

Chinese military commentator Wang Yunfei said the drill would not only strengthen mutual understanding but could also pave the way for future cooperation in military aviation. “The Egyptian side will get an opportunity to closely observe the Chinese warplanes' capabilities,” Wang told Global Times.

China has not officially stated which aircraft will take part in the exercise, but unverified reports suggest that at least around five Xi’an Y-20 transport planes have already arrived in Egypt. The nature of their cargo remains undisclosed.

Egypt currently operates the Chinese-made K-8 trainer and has shown growing interest in Chinese military aircraft. In 2023, Cairo reportedly held discussions with Beijing over a potential deal for the J-10C fighter jet, which is positioned to rival Western platforms like the F-16, also used by Israel. In 2021, Chinese defense firms displayed the JF-17 fighter and L-15 trainer at Egypt’s premier defense expo.

More recently, Egypt’s Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Fuad Abdel Gawad, visited Beijing and met with General Chang Dingqiu, head of the PLA Air Force, to explore further cooperation in military aviation.

Cairo’s increasing interest in Chinese aircraft reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on Western defense suppliers, particularly the United States. U.S. policy decisions tied to human rights and regional politics have long restricted Egypt’s ability to modernize its F-16 fleet. Following the 2013 ousting of President Mohamed Morsi, Washington froze military aid, delaying upgrades to Egypt’s American-supplied jets. Limitations on advanced radar and long-range missiles have further affected Egypt’s regional air capabilities.

Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions have blocked Egypt from acquiring Russian aircraft. A batch of Su-35 fighters originally painted in Egyptian camouflage was recently spotted at an Algerian airbase with new Algerian markings. These jets were reportedly diverted to Algeria after earlier plans to send them to Iran.

China’s defense exports, which typically come without political preconditions, are seen as more appealing in Egypt’s current geopolitical context.

Though this will be their first joint drill, Chinese aircraft have visited Egypt before. In 2024, China’s Bayi Aerobatic Team flew seven J-10 jets and a Y-20 transport plane to the Egypt International Air Show. Their aerial display over the Giza Pyramids marked the PLA Air Force’s first performance in Africa and its longest-distance deployment to date.

China has also promoted the FC-31, another fifth-generation stealth jet, in Middle Eastern markets. If Egypt proceeds with interest in either the J-10C or FC-31, it could alter the regional airpower balance, particularly in relation to Israel’s F-35 fleet.