China and Egypt have embarked on their first-ever joint air exercise, dubbed Civilization Eagle 2025, marking a notable milestone in their military collaboration. This unprecedented event, which began in mid-April and is set to run until early May, brings together the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force for coordinated flights and tactical training.
Announced by China’s Ministry of National Defence on April 16, the exercise aims to promote practical cooperation, enhance friendship, and build mutual trust between Beijing and Cairo. It follows previous naval engagements but ventures into the more intricate realm of air operations, signaling a deepening of ties between the two nations.
The PLA Air Force detachment arrived in Egypt with at least five Xian Y-20 Kunpeng transport aircraft, alongside other assets like J-10C/S fighters, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and YY-20A tankers, having traveled approximately 6,000 kilometers across multiple countries to reach Cairo.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) 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 Y-20, often likened to the American Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, is a strategic airlifter developed by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.
It boasts the ability to transport heavy equipment, troops, or humanitarian supplies over long distances, with advanced avionics and the capacity to operate on austere runways. Its role in Civilization Eagle 2025 likely involves logistical support, ferrying personnel and equipment, and showcases China’s growing ability to project power globally, particularly in regions like the Middle East where its military presence has historically been minimal.
Egypt contributes a diverse fleet to the exercise, reflecting its strategy of maintaining varied military partnerships. The Egyptian Air Force operates American F-16 Fighting Falcons, French Dassault Rafales, and Russian MiG-29M/M2s, a mix that underscores Cairo’s effort to avoid over-reliance on any single supplier. While specifics about the fighter jets involved or the training locations remain undisclosed, the drills are designed to foster interoperability and share expertise in air combat and modern tactics.
For Egypt, this offers a chance to measure its capabilities against a rising power, while China gains experience in a new operational environment distinct from its usual Indo-Pacific focus, including the Middle East’s desert terrain and proximity to key maritime routes like the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
The timing of Civilization Eagle 2025 carries strategic weight. The Middle East remains a geopolitical hotspot, and Egypt’s control of the Suez Canal—a vital conduit for roughly 12% of global trade—enhances its regional significance. China’s interest aligns with its Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project aimed at expanding Beijing’s economic and political influence, with the Suez Canal serving as a critical link.
By strengthening ties with Egypt, China secures a foothold in a region long dominated by the United States, Russia, and European powers. For Egypt, the exercise diversifies its military relationships at a time when its alliance with the U.S. has been tested by disputes over human rights and arms sales.
This collaboration raises broader questions about shifting alliances in the Middle East and China’s expanding ambitions. The United States, which has long considered Egypt a key ally, may view this development with concern as Beijing extends its military reach. Civilization Eagle 2025 not only tests the operational capabilities of both nations—China refining its systems in a distant theater and Egypt benchmarking its air force—but also signals a potential reconfiguration of the region’s strategic landscape, with implications for global security dynamics.
