Summary
- Egypt orders Chinese J-10Cs after cancelling Su-35S & failing to purchase F-35s
- Egypt would be second country to order J-10Cs, highlighting shift to China
- The move may complicate ties with the US over fighter jet contracts
In another sign of how complicated politics are in the Middle East is, the Egyptians have reportedly ordered Chinese
chengdu
J-10C fighters. The
Egyptians had ordered Russian Su-35S fighter jets
in 2018. However, the United States compelled Egypt to cancel the order as part of its effort to chock off Russian military exports under the CAASTA Act (
these jets are now being sold to Iran
). Then to Egypt in 2018, but this has since fallen through. Now, it seems Egypt is turning to the Chinese.
Egypt reportedly orders Chinese J-10Cs
According to Military Watch, the Egyptian Defense Ministry placed its first order for Chinese fourth-generation fighters on August 19. This comes after Egypt joined the Chinese-led BRICS bloc earlier this year and as it seeks to find replacements for its aging jets. If true, this is likely the end of any discussion of the country purchasing
F-35
.
The acquisition would make Egypt the second country in the world to order the Chinese J-10C after Pakistan (although the Military Watch says there are unconfirmed reports Sudan may also ordered the jet before its descent into civil war). The J-10C is the Chinese answer to the
F-16
.
Photo: rehan waheed | Shutterstock
Egypt has a large air force, but its aging F-16 Fighting Falcons are planned to be phased out. There were suggestions that the US would offer to upgrade these jets or sell new F-16 variants. The Military Watch states, “...the J-10C is considered to have superior combat capability to this enhanced F-16 model while coming at a similar cost to the package.”
Chinese J-10s flew at the Egypt International Airshow last week, and a formation was pictured with the Y-20 transports flying by the pyramids.
Concerning geopolitics for the US
If the Chinese jet deal materializes, it will be a big deal. Fighter jet contracts are very complicated. They tend to forge closer relations between parts of the militaries and industries of the respective countries for decades (for spare parts, training, maintenance, and the like). The UAE has also reportedly been mulling purchasing Chinese jets after similarly being sidelined on an F-35 deal.
Prior to Javier Milei’s election as president of Argentina, there had been reports that Argentina would also purchase Chinese jets. However, Milei withdrew Argentina’s accession to the BRICS block, pursued a more Western-friendly cause, and
purchased retired Danish F-16s instead
(with the British seemingly finally relenting on their veto).