The Egyptian threat balloon has exploded: China denies selling advanced long-range air-defense missile-armed fighters to the Egyptian Air Force.
A number of media reports have stated that Egypt has received advanced 4.5-generation fighter jets from Beijing. Egyptian security sources have also claimed that the acquisition of these Chinese fighter jets is intended to offset Israeli air superiority in the arena, with these aircraft being equipped with Chinese air-to-air missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 200 km.
Chinese state media reported yesterday, Thursday, that the Chinese Ministry of Defense denied that the Egyptian Air Force had received the first shipment of J-10 fighter jets.
“This does not correspond to the facts,” said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian. “Completely fake news.” Thus, he burst the balloon of threats in Egypt that the Egyptian Air Force is very close to eliminating Israeli air superiority in the skies of the Middle East.
On February 13, the Egypt Daily News reported that Egypt had received J-10 fighter jets from China.
The J-10C is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, equipped with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, capable of engaging targets up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) beyond visual range. The missile, also known as the Vigorous Dragon, is a single-engine medium-weight fighter jet developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
The Egyptian Air Force currently operates a diverse fleet of American, French, and Russian aircraft, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mirage 2000, Rafale, and MiG-29, among others. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter with diverse combat capabilities, while the Mirage 2000 and Rafale are distinguished by their advanced maneuverability and combat capabilities. The Russian MiG-29 provides an important addition to the diversity of Egypt’s air defense capabilities. As of 2025, the total number of aircraft in service with the Egyptian Air Force is 1,065.
Although China denied delivering the J-10C to Egypt, the reports have sparked discussions about Egypt's efforts to diversify its military suppliers and improve its air defense capabilities.
Egypt has historically relied on a mix of American, French, and Russian aircraft, and the potential addition of Chinese fighter jets could represent a significant shift in its defense strategy.