Egypt Considers Purchasing Chinese Stealth Fighter J-35.

Senior Egyptian Air Force Officer Interested in Chinese Fighter J-35

During joint aviation exercises with China, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Fouad Abdel Gawad, commander of the Egyptian Air Force, expressed interest in the Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter J-35. This may indicate a change in Cairo's military-technical policy.

During the 'Eagles of Civilization 2025' maneuvers, the general paid particular attention to the J-35, expressing a desire to visit China for a more detailed acquaintance with this aircraft. This has sparked discussions about Egypt's ambitions regarding the modernization of its Air Force and diversification of defense partnerships.

The J-35, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, competes with the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57. This fighter is equipped with an active electronically scanned array, can track targets with high precision, and carry PL-15 missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Egypt is considering the possibility of purchasing the J-35 to enhance its defense capabilities. Such a step may influence the balance of power in the region; however, integrating Chinese technology will require significant investment in personnel training and infrastructure.

Egypt's interest in the J-35 may also be aimed at obtaining better cooperation conditions with the United States, particularly access to the F-35 or upgraded F-16s. Cairo's next actions on this matter will be closely monitored not only by regional partners but also by global powers.