Chinese J-16 Fighters Reach Egypt After 6,000km Flight for First African Drill
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 22
Chinese J-16 Fighters Reach Egypt After 6,000km Flight for First African Drill
3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 22
Summary
J-16 fighters and PLA crews arrived at an Egyptian airbase on Friday morning after a nine-hour, 6,000km flight, marking the aircraft’s first deployment to Africa.
The trip required mid-air refuelling, and the PLA said personnel had already begun preparations for Eagles of Civilisation 2026, which is due to end early next month.
China’s defence ministry said this year’s exercise will center on air combat tactics and air-superiority operations in the J-16’s first drill with the Egyptian air force.
Last year’s inaugural China-Egypt joint exercise used lighter J-10C fighters, while the J-16 has previously appeared in overseas drills with Russia and Pakistan.