Egypt has received its first batch of J-10CE fighter jets from China, marking a significant shift in the country’s air defence strategy and reinforcing its commitment to diversifying military suppliers.

The J-10CE, a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter, enhances Egypt’s air superiority capabilities. Comparable to modernised F-16 models, it is equipped with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, capable of engaging targets up to 300 km away – beyond visual range. This capability allows Egypt to intercept hostile aircraft and aerial threats before they reach its airspace.

Following the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, Cairo shifted its focus to American F-16 fighter jets, acquiring one of the world’s largest fleets. However, the US refused to supply AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, limiting Egyptian F-16s’ beyond-visual-range air combat capabilities.