China's J-16s Face Egypt's 55 Rafales in First Simulated Combat Drill
Updated
Updated · Business Insider Africa · Aug 25
China's J-16s Face Egypt's 55 Rafales in First Simulated Combat Drill
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · Aug 25
Summary
August 23 drills under Egypt's Eagles of Civilization 2026 exercise put Chinese J-16s and Egyptian Rafales into their first one-on-one simulated aerial combat under combat-realistic conditions.
Chinese and Egyptian pilots first aligned on flight safety, airspace control, takeoff, landing and emergency procedures before flying medium- and close-range maneuvers meant to build shared operational concepts.
The matchup pits two 4.5-generation multirole fighters against each other in a new setting for China, while testing the larger J-16 against a French jet that anchors Egypt's air power.
Egypt operates 55 Rafales, one of the largest fleets outside France, making the exercise a notable gauge of the aircraft's expanding role as China deepens defense ties with Cairo.
That scrutiny has intensified since 2025, when Pakistan's Chinese-made J-10CEs were credited by U.S. officials with downing at least two Indian aircraft, including a Rafale.