After Rafale & F-16, Egypt Set to Fly China's J-10C

Cairo: Egypt is going to become the only country in the world to operate the Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft after the French Rafale. Apart from Rafale, this country also operates American F-16 and Russian MiG-29 fighter aircraft. Currently, apart from Egypt, no other country in the world has fighter aircraft from four different countries. However, the purchase of Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft is yet to be finalized. Egypt already operates retired Chinese bombers.

Egypt may buy J-10C

There is speculation that Egypt is considering acquiring the Chinese J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighter to modernize its air fleet. However, the country is also eyeing South Korea's FA-50 fighter aircraft. The display of the J-10C Vigorous Dragon at the Egyptian International Air Show in September 2024 has fueled speculation that the country is planning to buy the Chinese fighter.

Photo of Egyptian pilot in J-10C also fuels speculation

Later, in February 2025, Egyptian media claimed that an agreement had been reached with China to purchase the J-10 fighter. However, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian later dismissed these claims as "fake news". A video footage of an Egyptian pilot sitting in a J-10C during the Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air exercise in April 2025 once again fueled speculation that the country could potentially buy Chinese fighter jets.

Egypt also eyeing South Korea's FA-50

Reports last month claimed that Egypt is also eyeing South Korea's FA-50 fighter jet. For this, Egyptian officials have also held talks with South Korea, although this could not be confirmed. The FA-50 is South Korea's indigenous fighter aircraft. South Korea claims that this aircraft is equipped with stealth technology and its price is much lower than fifth-generation aircraft. In such a situation, countries like Egypt will not have any budget related problems in purchasing this aircraft.

So Egypt will become the only country in the world!

However, if Egypt indeed goes ahead with the J-10C instead of the Korean FA-50, it will become the second country (after Pakistan) to acquire the 4.5th generation Chinese fighter. The Egyptian Air Force currently comprises American, Russian and French fighter jets. Interestingly, it could become the only country to operate the French Rafale and the Chinese J-10C fighter jets. What makes this so significant is that both these warplanes were used in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Egypt currently has over 200 F-16s, making it the fourth-largest operator of the Fighting Falcons.