What Chinese pilots revealed about Rafale, MiG-29 after Egypt air drills
Chinese pilots recently engaged in joint air combat drills with Egypt, providing Beijing with insights into the performance of French-made Rafale and Russian-origin MiG-29 fighters. These aircraft are also key components of the Indian Air Force, making the exercise a point of strategic interest for India.
Why it matters
Understanding how potential adversaries assess the capabilities of one's own military hardware is crucial for national defense strategy and tactical planning.
Chinese pilots have recounted their encounters with French-made Rafale and Russian-origin MiG-29 fighters during air combat drills with Egypt, offering a rare insight into how Beijing assesses aircraft also operated by the Indian Air Force.The Eagles of Civilization 2026 exercise brought Chinese J-16 fighters and Egyptian Rafale and MiG-29 aircraft together for joint air combat training in Egypt.According to The Defense Watch, citing Chinese state media reports, People’s Liberation Army Air Force pilot Wei Yuexin said Egyptian fighters demonstrated strong manoeuvrability during close-range combat training.The report also cited Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping, who said the J-16 could perform effectively in beyond-visual-range engagements, particularly when supported by the KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft.Chinese state media reports highlighted close-range manoeuvring and electronic warfare during…
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