China and Russia used the first-ever Egypt International Airshow to showcase their military equipment in order to conquer the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market.
In this strategy, both countries recognize Egypt’s important and strategic role as a major non-NATO military power in the Mediterranean and the largest Arab military with extensive equipment requirements. In particular, China’s message is clear: it is ready to step up and be a serious alternative to the United States in terms of military and financial support.
Egypt is currently a major recipient of the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF). According to the Department of State, the United States has provided Egypt with over $50 billion in military aid, with a 2023 FMF record of $1.21 billion. However, some of Cairo’s requests have not been approved by the US Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees the FMF, including the denied purchase of F-15s—let alone the F-35.
To fill this gap, in the airshow at El Alamein International Airport, China displayed its domestically-produced J-10 fighter aircraft, which Egypt is already in discussions to purchase, and its Y-20 military transport aircraft, which also has tanker and AWACS versions. To promote a possible deal, a Y-20 Chinese transport aircraft made a symbolic flight over the pyramids alongside 6J-10 Chinese fighter jets. In the last months, China also demonstrated the Y-20 export model to Nigerian defense officials, who are already purchasing military hardware from Beijing, as already reported by RID.
The focus is not limited to fighter jets and transport aircraft. Some rumors also report that further discussions could be in place to include Chinese stealth fighters like the J-20 and drones in future deals. With Egypt trying to push toward developing its domestic military industries, a potential partnership with Beijing, and Moscow, could be decisive. As an example of this opportunity, Chinese electronics firm ELINC sealed a deal with the Arab Organization for Industrialization to manufacture defense systems, according to local media reports.
During the Airshow at El Alamein International Airport, also ROSOBORONEXPORT flexed its muscles showing off its Ka-52 attack helicopters, Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet (with the new Kh-69 missile), and a full spectrum of drones as ORLAN-10E and ORLAN-30.
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