The “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint air drill between Egypt and China has begun, and Israel is closely monitoring the appearance of a highly advanced Chinese early-warning aircraft—the KJ-500—packed with cutting-edge electronic warfare and surveillance equipment.
This marks the first time such technology has been seen operating outside of China, sparking intense interest from both Israeli and American intelligence.
The drill, hosted at an Egyptian airbase, includes various multirole fighter jets and aims to align combat strategies between the two countries. While the official focus is on training, the unexpected operational deployment of the KJ-500 has raised red flags in Israel.
Military experts are trying to identify and analyze the capabilities of the system, especially as Egypt considers purchasing Chinese J-10C fighter jets and other advanced platforms.
Both Israel and the U.S. are now making concentrated efforts to intercept and study the aircraft’s electronic signature in real-time, hoping to better understand the scope of China’s military tech. This joint drill not only showcases growing Egyptian-Chinese defense ties but also signals a possible shift in regional power dynamics.