Report: Egypt Considers Purchasing Advanced Fighter Jets from China

The Egyptian Air Force is considering purchasing Chinese fighter jets of the J-10C and J-31 models as part of its modernization process, replacing its American-made fighter jets. This report comes from Defence Blog.

The J-10C fighter jet is known for its advanced capabilities and relatively low cost, while the J-31 is considered comparable to the Israeli Air Force’s F-35 jets, according to Army Recognition. Egypt is seeking to diversify its military equipment, taking into account sanctions imposed on Russia and the close ties between the US and Israel.

Discussions are ongoing between Egypt and China on these matters, with Egyptian Air Force Commander General Mahmoud Fouad Abdel Gawad meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, General Chiang Dingxiao. Among other topics, they discussed the acquisition of both types of fighter jets. Previously, Egypt purchased H-6 bombers and J-6 fighter jets from China.

The J-10C is a 4th-generation multirole fighter jet equipped with an advanced electronic warfare (EW) system and an AESA radar. The J-31 is a 5th-generation twin-engine fighter jet designed for missions such as close air support, bombing, and air combat, with a top speed of up to 2,200 km/h. Its key feature is its stealth capability, including an internal weapons bay and an electro-optical weapon guidance system.

Recently, relations between Egypt and China have strengthened, with several visits by Egyptian Air Force personnel to Chinese military bases, and discussions have also included joint production and technology transfers.