China and Egypt wrapped up their first-ever joint Air Force exercise, "Eagles of Civilization 2025," on May 4, following 18 days of intensive training. The news was released by China's Ministry of Defense.
During the drills, both sides cooperated closely, focusing on air combat tactics, aerial refueling operations, and the organization of training missions. Together, Chinese and Egyptian personnel practiced air defense operations, suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as battlefield search and rescue. According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the exercise marks a new milestone in the military partnership between the two nations.
For the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), this was their first experience conducting combat training on the African continent. According to the Global Times, China deployed several advanced platforms for the exercise, including the KJ-500 early-warning aircraft, J-10C fighter jets, the Z-20 helicopter, and the YU-20 tanker, which performed air-to-air refueling for Egypt's MiG-29 fighters.
"Throughout these joint exercises, our pilots and those of the Egyptian Air Force learned from each other and honed their skills, fully showcasing the exceptional combat readiness of the PLAAF and its formidable operational capabilities," PLAAF representative Li Bokuang said in an interview with the newspaper. "This is more than just military cooperation; it represents a deep exchange between the air forces of two ancient civilizations. As we fly in formation over the pyramids, our friendship will endure, strong and steady like the Nile."
Earlier this May, joint naval exercises involving multiple countries and international organizations were also launched off the coast of Cabo Verde, organized by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
