China’s Fighter Jet Gets Rare Chance to Face Rafales in Exercise

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   China's J-16 Fighter Jets Engage in Joint Exercise with Egypt's Rafales

   China's J-16 fighter jets are participating in a joint air exercise with Egypt's Rafale fighters, marking the first-ever combat exercise between the two aircraft. The exercise, called 'Eagles of Civilization – 2026', is being held in Egypt and involves China's J-16 'Hidden Dragon' fighters facing off against French-made Rafale fighters.

   Why it matters

   This joint exercise is significant as it showcases China's growing military cooperation with Egypt and its expanding airpower reach into the Middle East. The J-16 is a key component of China's air force, while the Rafale is a highly advanced fighter jet used by several countries, including Egypt and France. The exercise comes amid rising tensions in the region, including the ongoing conflict in Iran.

   What is confirmed

   • China's J-16 fighter jets are participating in a joint air exercise with Egypt's Rafale fighters in Egypt.
   • The exercise is called 'Eagles of Civilization – 2026'.
   • This is the first-ever combat exercise between China's J-16 fighters and French-made Rafale fighters.
   • The J-16 fighters were deployed from China to Egypt for the exercise, a distance of over 6,000km.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The joint exercise is being closely watched by India.

   What to watch next

   • Further developments in China-Egypt military cooperation
   • Reaction from the US and Israel to the joint exercise
   • Details on the specific scenarios and outcomes of the exercise
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. Bloomberg.com — China’s Fighter Jet Gets Rare Chance to Face Rafales in Exercise
   2. South China Morning Post — Chinese J-16 fighters arrive in Egypt for Eagles of Civilisation joint drill
   3. Ministry of National Defense People's Republic of China — Y-20 Taxies for Takeoff at Dusk
   4. news.by — China and Egypt Launch Joint Air Drises “Eagles of Civilization – 2026”
   5. livemint.com — China’s J-16 ‘Hidden Dragon’ to face Rafales at ‘Eagles of Civilization’ joint air exercise in Egypt
   6. China Daily — China's J-16 engage in first-ever combat exercise with French-made Rafale fighters
   7. Aviation Week — China Deploys J-16 Fighters To Egyptian Exercise
   8. Decode39 — China’s J-16 deployment to Egypt is about more than six fighter jets
   9. Defence Security Asia — China Sends J-16 Fighters 6,000km to Egypt, Expanding Airpower Reach Into Middle East
   10. AeroTime — China’s J-16 jets face off with Rafales in first-ever Egypt exercise
   11. China Military Online — Air Force troops conduct training in LVC environment
   12. Global Times — China's J-16 fighter crosses swords with Egypt's Rafale jet in first flight day of joint drill
   confidence 85%