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China-Middle East relations
ChinaMilitary

China’s J-16s face off against Egypt’s Rafales in combat drills as Iran war rumbles on

PLA pilots test strategic reach in 6,000km mission as Middle East conflict pushes Cairo and Beijing closer

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Chinese fighter jets have returned to Egypt for combat training with their Egyptian counterparts in a joint exercise. Photo: CCTV
Liu Zhen

Chinese fighter jets have conducted combat training with their Egyptian counterparts in a joint exercise following a major Chinese air force deployment to the Middle East.

The drill, which was launched on Saturday and is expected to continue until early next month, is part of the second China-Egypt “Eagles of Civilisation” joint air force training exercises, taking place against the backdrop of the war between the United States and Iran.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force deployed J-16 fighter jets, YU-20 aerial tankers, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft and Z-20 helicopters.
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The aircraft flew more than 6,000km (3,730 miles) over nine hours to reach Egypt, crossing four countries, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV. However, it did not specify which four countries the PLA Air Force aircraft flew over, or whether their route approached Iran or any Persian Gulf nations.

“Through cross-border deployment and rapid loading and unloading operations, the exercise tested the air force’s capabilities in long-range force projection, rapid deployment and integrated operations,” CCTV reported.

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