A J-16 Hidden Dragon fighter jet flies over the Zhuhai Airshow in Guangdong, China, in November 2024. China’s J-16s recently made their way to Egypt for ongoing military exercises. (Shutterstock/DingYi1122)

China’s Fighter Jets Are Flying over Egypt

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This week’s “Eagles of Civilization 2026” training exercise marks the debut of China’s J-16 Hidden Dragon fighter jets in Africa—pitting them against Egypt’s French-made Dassault Rafales.

China’s J-16 Hidden Dragon fighter jets have a new destination: the pyramids of Egypt.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has been in the country since June 22, but is not visiting for tourism. As part of Beijing’s quest to raise its profile on the international stage, the Chinese military is sending fighter jets to Cairo for a joint exercise.

What Are Chinese Fighter Jets Doing in Egypt? 

Several J-16 fighter jets are currently in Egypt for a joint exercise with the Egyptian Air Force. This is the first time the Chinese military has deployed this particular type of aircraft in the North African country.  

This is not the first time that any Chinese fighter jets........

© The National Interest