America’s Setback in the Middle East: Egypt has inducted the advanced Chinese-made fighter jet J-10CE into its fleet. The growing ties between Cairo and Beijing are a major blow to the United States in the Middle East.

Donald Trump Setback in the Middle East: Egypt, a key Muslim country in the Middle East and a close ally of India, has received the first batch of J-10CE fighter jets made in China. These fighter jets are equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles. Previously, Egypt’s air force fleet included American F-16 fighter jets, but this time it has inducted the Chinese-made advanced J-10CE fighter jets into its forces. China had earlier provided the same fighter jets to Pakistan, a rival of India.

According to BulgarianMilitary.com, Egypt purchased the fighter jets from China to replace its aging fleet of American F-16 jets. The deal for the fourth-generation multirole fighter, known as the “Agile Dragon,” was finalized on August 19, 2024. After Pakistan, Egypt becomes the second country to purchase J-10CE fighter jets from China. This deal highlights the growing closeness between Beijing and Cairo, although neither Egypt nor China has officially confirmed the deal yet.

US Aid and a Deal with China!

In September 2024, during the International Air Show in Egypt, the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet was prominently showcased. Egypt’s decision to buy fighter jets from China marks a significant shift in its strategic direction. It has rejected offers from both the US and Russia, opting instead to partner with China. Despite this, Egypt’s relationship with the US remains strong. This can be inferred from the fact that when President Trump imposed a freeze on aid to all countries, Egypt was one of the two countries exempted, the other being Israel. However, after Egypt was included in the BRICS summit under China’s leadership, a change in relations between Cairo and Beijing was observed.

Key Features of China’s J-10CE Fighter Jet:

The J-10CE fighter jet, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation in China, is capable of carrying both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. It is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, modern avionics, and advanced missiles like the PL-10 and PL-15. Experts suggest that the cost of the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet is lower than that of the American F-16 jet.