PLA Air Force elite fleet lands in Egypt for joint drill

The People's Liberation Army Air Force has sent an elite fleet of aircraft, including the J-16 fighter jet, to Egypt for the "Eagles of Civilization 2026" joint training exercise.

The PLA Air Force said on Friday that multiple types of aircraft and personnel participating in the exercise arrived at an Egyptian air base early that morning after an intercontinental flight.

The fleet flew more than 6,000 kilometers across two continents and four countries in nearly nine hours, overcoming challenges including the long flight and complex weather conditions, according to an Air Force statement.

En route to Egypt, a YY-20A tanker aircraft conducted aerial refueling for J-16 fighter jets.

After arriving in Egypt, Chinese military personnel promptly unloaded supplies, organized equipment and conducted exchanges and coordination with their Egyptian counterparts as they began preparations for the training phase, the Air Force said.

The "Eagles of Civilization 2026" exercise is the second joint training event between the two air forces. The PLA Air Force has sent a combined force of fighter jets, tanker aircraft, combat support aircraft and helicopters.

The cross-border deployment and rapid loading and unloading operations demonstrated the personnel's capabilities in long-range projection, agile deployment and cross-system operations, according to the Air Force.

Notably, the participation of the J-16 marks the first time China has sent any of its heavyweight fighter jet to Africa.