After Pakistan, Egypt Eyes China’s J-35 Stealth Fighter Jets — A Major Strategic Shift?

As Pakistan gets ready to receive its first batch of Chinese J-35 stealth fighter jets, another Muslim-majority country is reportedly showing serious interest in the same aircraft — Egypt.

According to Moroccan defense portal Defense Arabic, the Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Fouad Abdel Gawad, expressed deep curiosity about the J-35 fighter jet during a joint military exercise with China, named “Eagles of Civilization 2025”, held at Egypt’s Wadi Abu Rish airbase.

While there has been no official confirmation from either Cairo or Beijing, the conversation around Egypt possibly buying Chinese fifth-generation fighter jets hints at a major geopolitical and defense shift in the Middle East.

Why is the J-35 Making Waves?

Known also as the FC-31 or “Gyrfalcon”, the J-35 is China’s advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Key features include:

• Stealth design and radar-absorbing coating

• AESA radar, infrared tracking, and advanced avionics

• Capable of carrying PL-10 and PL-15 missiles

• Multi-role mission compatibility — air superiority and ground attacks

• Twin-engine power and modern digital cockpit

It’s considered China’s response to the American F-35 and F-22 Raptor, and China is now positioning it as a viable export product to allies like Pakistan and potentially Egypt.

Rafale vs. J-35: A Showdown Looming?

Egypt had been negotiating with France to acquire more Rafale jets along with technology transfer provisions. However, if Egypt pivots to the J-35, it could signal a significant blow to the French defense industry and a major win for China in the global arms race.

Strategic Implications

The joint exercise — the first of its kind between the two air forces — featured top-tier aircraft like China’s J-10C, Y-20 transport planes, KJ-500 AEW&C, and YU-20 aerial tankers, while Egypt deployed MiG-29M/M2 fighters. The event showcased growing military cooperation and may have paved the way for future defense deals.

If Egypt joins Pakistan in embracing the J-35, the dynamics of airpower and alliances in the Middle East could shift dramatically — especially in the shadow of Israel’s American-made F-35 fleet.

Read More: Top-Secret Report Leaked: India’s Strike Shattered Pakistan’s EW Capabilities

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