China’s J-16s face off against Egypt’s Rafales in combat drills as Iran war rumbles on

Chinese fighter jets, J-16s, participated in joint combat exercises with Egyptian Rafale aircraft over the past week. This second round of China-Egypt “Eagles of Civilisation” drills took place after a major Chinese air force deployment to the Middle East. The J-16s, along with YU-20 tankers, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and Z-20 helicopters, flew over 6,000km in nine hours to reach Egypt, crossing through four countries.

The exercises tested the air force's capabilities in long-range force projection, rapid deployment, and integrated operations. During the flight, J-16s conducted aerial refueling before landing in Egypt. The drills, which took place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, also included one-on-one and two-on-two close and medium-range air combat drills between J-16s and Rafales.

Chinese J-16 fighters performed one-on-one and two-on-two close and medium-range air combat drills against French-made Rafale fighters. The J-16 is China's top-tier fighter, domestically developed and based on the Russian Su-27 jet.