Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
China will supply Egypt with Chengdu J-10C and Chengdu J-31 fighter jets. This decision marks a strategic shift in Egypt’s defense policy as the country seeks alternatives to U.S. military equipment, particularly after the U.S. refused to upgrade Egypt’s aging F-16s to the F-16V standard.
The Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Mighty Dragon,” offers significantly greater combat capabilities compared to the F-16, including an advanced fire-control system.
The price advantage of the Chinese fighters, costing between $40 million to $50 million each, further increases the appeal of the Mighty Dragon. Egypt’s Air Force, which has long depended on American technology, now aims to reduce its reliance on the West by turning to China. In addition to lower costs, China offers fewer political restrictions on arms sales.
Egypt plays a critical role in ensuring security in the Middle East, being one of the U.S.’s key strategic partners in the region. Since the 1979 peace treaty with Israel, Egypt has received significant U.S. military aid, amounting to about $1.3 billion annually in recent years.
Egypt serves as a crucial buffer against terrorism, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, and plays an active role in peacekeeping operations in Libya and Yemen. Additionally, the Egyptian military is a key player in countering the growing influence of Turkey and Iran. Therefore, the loss of such a powerful military ally in the Middle East would be a significant blow to the U.S., and a considerable gain for China, which is rapidly expanding its military, political, and economic presence in the region.
The Chengdu fighters also provide Egypt with military technologies that may not be available through traditional U.S. channels.
The J-10C, known for its multi-role combat capabilities, will enhance Egypt’s military strength, allowing the country to conduct operations not only in the Sinai Peninsula but also in neighboring Libya. This enhanced capability could be seen as a threat by the U.S., especially in the context of China’s growing influence in the Arab world.
The deal for the Chengdu fighters is only the first step in a new phase of China-Egypt relations. While the U.S. continues to provide significant military aid to Egypt, China’s rising influence in the region will strengthen Egypt’s independence and offer Cairo new opportunities for military operations.
This is especially important in the context of the global competition between the U.S. and China, as each country seeks to extend its influence in strategically vital regions. The Middle East, without a doubt, is one of the most critical of these regions.
This shift in the balance of power in the Middle East will not only affect Egypt’s military but also its relations with other key players in the region. For instance, Turkey, which already has complicated relations with Egypt, may view Egypt’s growing ties with China as a potential threat to its ambitions in Libya and other Middle Eastern conflicts.
However, for Egyptian authorities, the alliance with China is undoubtedly more important than any cooling of relations with Turkey. This sends a clear message about who holds sway in the Middle East.
Experts note that Egypt’s decision to acquire Chinese fighter jets is not only a strategic military and political move but also a significant issue of domestic policy. The decision will likely be welcomed by those in society who see it as a means to strengthen national sovereignty and security.
Egyptian citizens will appreciate the government’s efforts to diversify its military partnerships and reduce dependency on the U.S., especially amid growing discontent over U.S. policies regarding Israel. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government has already highlighted the strategic benefits of acquiring the Chinese jets.
Meanwhile, the intensifying rivalry between China and the U.S. for influence over Egypt opens a window of opportunity for Russia. Russia, which has traditionally maintained a strong military and economic presence in the Middle East, will likely want to capitalize on the shifting situation. Especially given that Russia was one of the largest arms exporters to Egypt.
The sale of Chinese jets, coupled with Egypt’s increasing focus on modern military technologies, may prompt Moscow to offer its own weaponry to integrate with Egypt’s new Chinese aircraft. This, in turn, could indirectly strengthen ties between Egypt and China.
