Some of the main warplanes participating in the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization 2025" joint air force exercise form formation and fly over the Pyramids at very low altitudes in Cairo, Egypt on May 1, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force

The air forces of China and Egypt have recently wrapped up their first joint air force training, featuring exercises on air superiority combat and suppressive air defense, as well as low-altitude flyovers of the Pyramids. An expert said on Monday that the training courses showed a high level of collaboration among the two countries' warplanes in drills that were close to real combat.

The China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization 2025" joint air force training concluded at an Egyptian air force base on Sunday, the Global Times learned from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force on Monday.

This joint training marked the first time the PLA Air Force has deployed a systematic force to Africa for such exercises, according to the PLA Air Force.

Upon arrival, the PLA Air Force swiftly completed preparations including equipment setup, theoretical instruction, mission planning, and command coordination, and successfully conducted the first flight, which demonstrated the PLA Air Force's capabilities in long-range deployment, agile operations, and integrated combat systems, the PLA Air Force said in a press release.

During the 18-day training, the two sides engaged in discussions and exchanges on training methodologies, air combat tactics, aerial refueling, and other areas. They also successfully carried out exercises such as air superiority combat, suppressive air defense, battlefield search and rescue, and mixed formation drills, according to the release.

Long Yifei from the PLA Air Force said that during the joint drill, the Y-20 transport aircraft and YU-20 aerial tanker played a crucial role in systematic rapid force projection and supporting the agile deployment of aerial combat systems, providing valuable experience for deepening future combat-oriented training.

Videos and photos released by the PLA Air Force show the deployment of equipment such as the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the J-10C fighter jet, the Z-20 helicopter and the YU-20 tanker aircraft.

During a training session, the PLA Air Force's YU-20 tanker aircraft conducted an in-flight refueling operation for the Egyptian Air Force's MiG-29 fighter jets, one of the photos shows.

Another photo shows that some of the main warplanes participating in the exercise formed formation and flew over the Pyramids at very low altitudes in Cairo.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, noted two highlights in the PLA Air Force release. First is the PLA Air Force's heavy equipment transport capability. He told the Global Times that the drill demonstrated the Y-20 transport aircraft's ability to rapidly transport equipment like the Z-20 helicopter over thousands of kilometers. Similarly, the Y-20 can also transport other heavy equipment, such as tanks and armored vehicles. 

Another highlight is the drill's training courses. Air superiority combat and suppressive air defense are some of the main ways to fight contemporary air combat, Wang said, explaining that the seizure of air superiority is a basis for all air and ground operations, while employing air power to suppress hostile systems creates favorable conditions to establish and maintain air superiority.

The exercises demonstrated a high level of collaboration between the two countries' air forces. These training courses would require a comprehensive system of equipment, including early warning aircraft and tanker aircraft in addition to fighter jets, Wang said.

The PLA Air Force said that the joint training represents a new starting point and significant milestone in the military cooperation between the two countries.

This marked the first joint training organized by the Chinese and Egyptian air forces, which served not only as a practical platform to enhance tactical and technical skills but also as a valuable opportunity to deepen friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation, laying a solid foundation for strengthening the bond between the two militaries and advancing practical collaboration and exchanges, according to the PLA Air Force release.

Wang said that the first joint air force training between the two countries has established a foundation for various potential cooperation between the two countries' militaries at a time when Egypt is looking to upgrade its combat equipment.

PLA Air Force's Li Bokuan said that "During this joint training, our pilots and those of the Egyptian Air Force learned from each other and honed our skills, fully showing the PLA Air Force's exceptional combat readiness and formidable operational capabilities. This is not only a friendly military cooperation but also an in-depth exchange between the air forces of the two ancient civilizations. As we fly in formation over the Pyramids, our friendship will continue to flow long and strong like the Nile River."