China Egypt Joint Military Exercises – A Turn in the Balance of Power?

The media is concerned with the Maryland Man. However the joint military exercises between China and Egypt might be worth giving a nod to in reporting. The significance of this activity is dependent on which foreign news source one chooses.

Why Are 5 Giant Chinese Y-20 Military Cargo Aircraft in Egypt? What is Civilization Eagle 2025? WHN

Army recognition:

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has deployed its KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Egypt for the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint air exercise with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF). This is the first time the KJ-500 has participated in an international military exercise, marking a new step in China’s overseas air operations. The exercise also marks the first bilateral air force drill between China and Egypt, aimed at enhancing coordination and operational understanding between the two countries.

The KJ-500 is one of the PLAAF’s (Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force) most advanced airborne early warning platforms, developed by the Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation and equipped with a modern phased-array radar system. It is based on the Y-9 medium transport aircraft and features a fixed dorsal radar dome that provides full 360-degree coverage. This radar system allows it to detect and track multiple airborne and surface targets at extended ranges, while also coordinating friendly aircraft during complex operations. The KJ-500 plays a central role in modern network-centric warfare, acting as a flying command and control node that can relay information across an integrated battle space.

Newsweek did manage to round up and report other assets that are in play.

One has to conclude the sandbox is heating up. Here we go:

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force deployed J-10C fighter jets, a YU-20 aerial refueling tanker and a KJ-500 radar aircraft, according to open-source flight-tracking data and security publications.

The PLA Air Force sent J-10C and J-10S fighters while Egypt fielded its MiG-29 jets for the exercise, China’s state-run Global Times reported.

The KJ-500, an airborne early warning and control aircraft, participated in an international military exercise for the first time, according to the Belgium-based defense magazine Army Recognition.

This week, open-source flight data appeared to show multiple Chinese military aircraft arriving in Egypt via the United Arab Emirates, including at least five Y-20 transport planes and one KJ-500 radar aircraft, according to specialist outlet Aviation Week.

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Here is a more gloomy interpretation on the matter.

DOGE: Why are we paying for China to conduct live war games in Egypt? We send almost $2 billion a year to Egypt’s military and they’re using it to ensure tactical coordination with China? China will be spending a month learning how to defeat our air defense systems that we’ve… pic.twitter.com/GoCDm5KmP1

— @amuse (@amuse) April 21, 2025

Egypt Eyes China’s J-20 Jets to Counter Israel | Joint Air Drill Signal Power Shift In Middle East?

Well it’s hard to argue with this one.

 

The best of the swamp.

Source: https://bunkerville.wordpress.com/2025/04/22/china-egypt-joint-military-exercises-a-turn-in-the-balance-of-power/