Egypt has officially announced that it will replace its aging fleet of American F-16s with Chinese J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighters, following discussions over the past few months. This decision made public during the first Egypt International Air Show, reflects Cairo’s intent to diversify its military equipment sources, thus reducing its reliance on U.S. defense systems.
The Chengdu J-10C, in service with the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) since 2004, is a multirole fighter equipped with a single engine, delta wings, and a canard configuration. Known for its maneuverability and versatility, the J-10C offers advanced capabilities at a competitive cost, making it an attractive alternative to the American F-16V, which had been proposed as an upgrade for the Egyptian fleet.
Developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), the J-10C features advanced electronic warfare systems and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. It supports multirole operations with targeting pods, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-air missiles. Officially entering service in December 2017, the J-10C is currently operated by China and Pakistan, and Egypt has expressed interest in acquiring a dozen units, primarily due to its lower cost compared to Western and Russian fighter jets.