Egypt rumoured to buy Chinese J-10C jets as Middle East looks beyond US weapons

Cairo’s reported purchase is latest sign of Beijing’s growing leverage in region aiming to reduce reliance on West for military tech

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If Egypt officially adds the J-10C to its air force, it will join Pakistan as the second country outside China to operate the J-10 fighter jet series. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:00pm, 21 Sep 2024Updated: 11:18pm, 21 Sep 2024

Egypt’s reported purchase of Chinese fighter jets is a sign of Beijing’s increasing leverage in the Middle East as the region tries to diversify its military procurement to rely less on the United States, analysts have said.

According to Bulgarian defence news portal Bulgarian Military, the Egyptian defence ministry reportedly placed its first order for China’s J-10C 4.5-generation fighter jets on August 19.

However, there was no official announcement about the purchase from either Cairo or Beijing. The Egyptian government did not respond to the South China Morning Post’s emailed requests for details about the arms agreement.

If Egypt officially adds the Chinese-made fighter jet to its air force, it will join Pakistan as the second country outside China to operate the J-10 series. Pakistan received its first shipment of the aircraft in March 2022.

China showed off the J-10 jets at the first Egypt International Air Show earlier this month. It was Beijing’s first time showcasing the combat aircraft in Africa.

The J-10C first entered service with the Chinese air force in 2018. It is a variant of the J-10 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft and is equipped with a Chinese-produced WS-10B engine. It has often been compared to the American-made F-16 fighters in its capabilities and role.