China Offers J-10 & J-31 Fighters To US Ally Egyptian Air Force

Summary

  • Egyptian Air Force considering Chinese J-10Cs and J-31s to upgrade fighter jet fleet.
  • PRC emerges as a logical secondary supplier due to Russia and U.S. relationships.
  • J-10C offers advanced capabilities at lower cost, while J-31 would counter Israel’s F-35s.

The Egyptian Air Force is shopping for new fighter jets, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is offering J-10s and J-31s. While the J-10 is a very maneuverable fourth-generation fighter jet, the J-31 is a low-observable fighter jet. With Russia embroiled in a long war on Ukraine with resulting sanctions and the United States very close to Egypt’s neighbor Israel, the PRC seems a logical secondary supplier.

Eurasian Times reports continuing discussions

The July 19 Eurasian Times reported that the Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Foaad Abdel Gawad, and his PRC Counterpart, Star General Chang Dingqiu, met in Beijing, PRC. Discussions included selling the J-10C and the J-31 low-observable fighter.

Egypt is already considering Chinese J-10Cs

Egypt has bought from the PRC Xi’an H-6 bombers and simple F-7B and J-6 fighter jets before in previous decades before and is considering modern fighter jets from the PRC since late 2022 according to Tactical Report. This interest intensified in late May 2023 when the J-10C was displayed by the August 1 Aerobatics Team at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia. Below are a few photos from their May 25, 2023, public performance:

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According to a May 24 South China Morning Post report during the trade show, the Egyptians are eying only 12 of the J-10Cs. The J-10C comes with an advanced electronic warfare system and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to support its multirole capabilities.

About the J-10C

The Chengdu J-10C is the third version of a fighter jet that made its first flight 25 years ago. According to The War Zone, the J-10C can carry a targeting pod, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-air missiles. The J-10C also comes with infrared search and track equipment and an active electronically scanned array (AESA). For power, the J-10C relies on the Shenyang WS-10 engine built by the PRC.

Only the People’s Republic of China and Pakistan operate the J-10C. However, export efforts beyond Egypt are underway. The lower price versus Western and Russian fighter jets is a key selling point.

About the J-31

The Shenyang J-31 is one of China’s first attempts at a fifth-generation fighter jet. If exported to Egypt, this would be the first international sale for the J-31 unless Pakistan beats Egypt to ordering the J-31.

The J-31 will dramatically advance Egypt’s capabilities and serve as a counter to Israel’s growing number of fifth generation F-35 fighter jets. However, not much is known about the J-31.

Where does the PRC and Egypt stand in the world arms market?

With that, a look at PRC and Egyptian involvement in the world arms market seems fitting . According to a March 2024 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Fact Sheet, between 2019 and 2023, the United States had the largest share of arms exports at 42%. Fourth on the list was the PRC at 5.8%. In between were France and Russia, tied at 11%.

Egypt according to that same fact sheet for 2019 and 2023 was seventh on global arms imports at 4.0%. The top place for arms imports was India at 9.8%. The fact sheet notes that Egypt gets weapons from France – including Rafale jet fighters pictured in flight, Germany – including warships, Russia – including MiG-29M2 Fulcrums as pictured above on a runway, and even some combat aircraft from the United States.

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