China's military might takes center stage in Egypt with Y-20 transport plane debut

In an effort to increase its military might in the Middle East and Africa, China’s Y-20 transport planes will debut alongside J-10 jet fighters in an international air show performance in Egypt the following month.

From September 3 to 5, the Y-20 will travel over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) to participate in and display at the first Egypt International Airshow.

Last month, during a cooperative counterterrorism drill, the transport plane transported Chinese troops to Tanzania.

As per the state news agency Xinhua, the Y-20 and seven J-10 aircraft took off on Monday from an airfield in northwest China that is not yet identified.

It will be the first time the Y-20 has performed in an air show abroad and the first time the PLA Air Force’s Bayi Aerobatics Team’s J-10 squad has made an appearance in Africa.

El Alamein International Airport, located 160 km west of Alexandria on the country’s northern shore, is the designated venue for the performance, as approved by China and Egypt.

The long-haul deployment, according to Chinese military expert Wang Mingzhi, demonstrated the Chinese air force’s “long-range mobility, delivery capabilities and combat-oriented training level.”

He also added that since the transfer range is across many time zones, with rapid changes in temperature and security difficulties, it will test the pilots’ flight ability and their physical endurance, and showcase the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s ability in long-range manoeuvres, delivery and combat-oriented training.

The first indigenous sophisticated jet fighter built in China is the J-10, sometimes referred to as the Firebird. It is a single-engine, medium-weight jet fighter built to function in all conditions.

Dubbed the “chubby girl,” the Y-20 is a transport plane used for long-haul air cargo and personnel transfers. Its Y-20U version is also used for refuelling other Chinese military planes.

Yuan Bo, a Y-20 pilot, told Xinhua that the crew had planned particular flying manoeuvres for the flight and had optimised and simplified their payload while adhering to mission criteria.

In addition to participating in the exercise in Tanzania, two Y-20s were seen last month stationed in the far east of Russia.

In 2022, the Y-20 flew a mission to deliver the FK-3 medium-range missile system to Serbia, making a stop in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Earlier this year, air force official Li Shining told state broadcaster CCTV that the aircraft represented the air force’s “strategic transformation and development” and would aid in achieving the aim of “all-domain operations and global reach”.

The PLA Air Force’s prominent presence in Egypt coincides with the Middle East and North Africa region’s rising interest in purchasing weaponry from China, diverting some purchases away from traditional Western suppliers.

Similar air displays were performed by the Bayi team in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia prior to their performance in Egypt, but this will be their maiden appearance on the African continent.

In 2022, the Y-20 flew a mission to deliver the FK-3 medium-range missile system to Serbia, making a stop in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Earlier this year, air force official Li Shining told state broadcaster CCTV that the aircraft represented the air force’s “strategic transformation and development” and would aid in achieving the aim of “all-domain operations and global reach”.

The PLA Air Force’s prominent presence in Egypt coincides with the Middle East and North Africa region’s rising interest in purchasing weaponry from China, diverting some purchases away from traditional Western suppliers.

Similar air displays were performed by the Bayi team in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia prior to their performance in Egypt, but this will be their maiden appearance on the African continent.

Algeria has purchased multiple Chinese corvette ships in addition to a range of drones and weapons. Four WJ-700 Falcon UAVs, which are state-of-the-art, were purchased by Algeria from China in March.

China, Israel, and Turkey are the three countries that top the continent in UAV sales. Additionally, it is a significant exporter of armoured vehicles and battle tanks to sub-Saharan Africa.

As per the findings of the military think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China emerged as the primary arms supplier for sub-Saharan Africa between 2019 and 2023, accounting for 19% of the region’s total arms imports. This narrowly surpasses the share of 17% held by Russia, the conventional arms seller to the subregion.