China’s J-16 jets share skies with Rafales in Egypt

China's J-16 fighter jets have joined forces with French-made Rafales in Egypt for a joint air exercise, marking their second Eagles of Civilization training event. This collaboration follows China's J-10C fighter jets drawing attention during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. The Egyptian Armed Forces initiated the multi-day exercise on August 22, spanning several locations across the country. The military released photos showcasing the participating aircraft, including the J-16 and Rafale.

The primary objective of these drills is to integrate the air forces of Egypt and China through shared training, rather than conducting a direct comparison of the aircraft. The initial phase of the exercise comprises theoretical lectures and practical sessions aimed at aligning combat concepts. Subsequent joint sorties will focus on planning and managing joint air-combat operations.

The deployment of the J-16 in Egypt follows the scrutiny faced by China's J-10C during last year's India-Pakistan conflict. Pakistan claimed that its J-10Cs had shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafales, while India acknowledged some aircraft losses but rejected Pakistan's scale of losses. India later stated that it had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large military aircraft during the conflict, a claim Pakistan disputes.

The Egyptian military emphasized the exercise as a cooperative effort focused on operational learning and joint air-combat operations planning. The participating forces aim to enhance their ability to execute joint operations while exchanging experiences. This exercise is part of Egypt's broader joint-training program with friendly and partner nations, reinforcing cooperation in various military fields.