The Egyptian Air Force is exploring the possibility of acquiring Chinese J-10C and J-31 fighters as part of its fleet modernization efforts. According to a report by Army Recognition, this move positions China as a significant secondary supplier amid Egypt’s strained relations with both Russia and the United States.
The J-10C fighters are being considered for their advanced capabilities and cost-effectiveness, while the stealthy J-31 is intended to counteract F-35 fighters. This initiative comes as Egypt seeks to diversify its military assets due to ongoing sanctions against Russia and the close U.S. ties with Israel.
Recent discussions between Egyptian and Chinese officials have highlighted this interest. Lieutenant General Mahmoud Fouad Abdel Gawad, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force, met in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Dingxiu, to discuss the potential sale of these advanced fighters.
Egypt has a history of acquiring Chinese military equipment, including H-6 bombers and J-6 fighters from Xi’an, and has shown increasing interest in modern fighters since the end of 2022.
The Chengdu J-10C, a single-engine, multi-role fighter jet of the fourth generation developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), boasts advanced electronic warfare systems and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. It supports multi-role capabilities with guidance pods, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-air missiles. Entering service with the Chinese Air Force in December 2017, the J-10C is currently in use by both China and Pakistan. Egypt is interested in acquiring a dozen units, with the lower cost compared to Western and Russian fighters being a significant factor.
The Shenyang J-31, also known as the FC-31, is a twin-engine stealth fifth-generation fighter developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. First flown in 2012, the J-31 is designed for roles such as close air support, air-to-ground strikes, and interception missions. It features advanced stealth characteristics, including an internal weapon bay and a supersonic intake without a diverter, enhancing its radar evasion capabilities. The aircraft is equipped with modern avionics, including an AESA radar, IRST systems, and an electro-optical targeting system.
The J-31 can be equipped with short-range PL-10 missiles and medium-range PL-12 air-to-air missiles. It has the capacity to carry 8 deep penetration bombs, each weighing 500 kg, and 30 smaller bombs, with six external hardpoints and an internal bay. The fighter is powered by two RD-33 engines, reaches speeds of up to 2200 km/h (1.8 Mach), and has a range of 4000 km. Its potential export to Egypt would be its first international sale, unless Pakistan places an order beforehand.
Source: Defence-blog
