China’s Surprise Snub: How a Muslim Country’s Friendship with India Meant Giving Up on Advanced Fighter Jets

China Refuses to Sell J-10 Fighter Jets to Egypt, Denying Reports of Deal

In a surprise move, China has rejected claims of a secret agreement to sell its advanced J-10 fighter jets to Egypt. The news comes as a blow to the Egyptian Air Force, which has been seeking to bolster its capabilities by acquiring modern military equipment.

Until recently, reports suggested that Egypt was on the cusp of finalizing a deal with China to purchase the J-10C fighter jets, with some sources claiming that the agreement was reached in August 2024. However, China’s Ministry of Defense has since denied any such deal, with a spokesperson labeling the reports as "completely fake news."

The Egyptian Air Force has been engaged in a major modernization program, with plans to replace outdated aircraft with more advanced technology. The goal is to upgrade its arsenal with state-of-the-art equipment, including Western fighter jets like the Mirage 2000 and Soviet-origin MiG-29M. Egypt has already signed a deal to purchase new Rafale aircraft from France, but the delivery of these planes is still pending.

The possibility of acquiring the J-10C had been a hot topic, with rumors suggesting that Egypt was preparing to replace its current fleet of F-16 fighter jets. The reports claimed that the Chinese proposal had overshadowed Egypt’s plans to modernize its F-16 fleet with the Block 70 Viper version. Additionally, Egypt had recently received its first shipment of PL-15 air-to-air missiles.

While Egypt has been actively seeking new suppliers to acquire modern military equipment, given the sanctions imposed on receiving weapon upgrades, China’s refusal to sell the J-10C fighters deals a significant blow to the country’s military ambitions. For now, the Egyptian Air Force will have to look elsewhere to fulfill its modernization plans.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense’s denial has put an end to speculation surrounding the potential deal, leaving Egypt to regroup and re-evaluate its options. As for China, it seems to be focusing on its existing military partnerships, having already supplied its J-10C fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force, which has inducted around 20-25 units since 2022.

Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/world/muslim-country-indias-friend-denied-advanced-j-10-fighter-jets-by-china-country-wanted-to-replace-cairo-egypt-f16-rafale-france-7653045/
Category : World,china,egypt,Egyptian air force,J10 fighter jets
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Publish Date: 2025-03-04 01:08:00