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Africa North
Egypt ditches American F-16s for Chinese J-10Cs in a major shift
2024-09-11
From MSN:
The United States has suffered a reputational defeat. Egypt, which for years has been purchasing American weapons and even launched licensed production of Abrams tanks, no longer wants the F-16. Instead of American planes, it has chosen Chinese Chengdu J-10C aircraft.
Chinese manufacture, Egyptian inshallah maintenance? Israel is once again blessed in the caliber of her enemies.
The F-16 is the backbone of Egypt's air force. The country operates as many as 218 aircraft, including 40 in the old F-16A/B variant. In modernizing its air force, the Egyptian authorities decided to replace the oldest F-16s with a new aircraft type.
To be fair, a country living on Gulf oil charity and IMF loans cannot afford the cost of first quality machines. And given that most of the country is held together by duck tape, chewing gum, and baling wire, why should their air force be any different?
Cairo also rejected the American proposal to deliver the latest version of the F-16, the F-16V, and the Russian offer to replace the Vipers with MiG-29M2 aircraft. Instead, Egypt chose the Chinese multi-role aircraft Chengdu J-10C.

In light of this information, which Cairo and Beijing have not officially confirmed, the recent presentation of Chinese aircraft gains a new context. During the Egypt International Airshow 2024, organized in early September, six Chinese J-10C and a Y-20 Kunpeng transport aircraft flew over the Egyptian pyramids.

J-10C AIRCRAFT FOR EGYPT
Egypt's decision is interpreted as an attempt to become less dependent on the United States. Cairo is diversifying its weapons purchases. A decade ago, it ordered Su-35 and MiG-29M2 aircraft from Russia, but the operation of these machines and Russia's reliability as a supplier of parts was unsatisfactory.

Subsequently, Egypt ordered 54 French Dassault Rafale aircraft (with an option to order more) and is now replacing part of its F-16 fleet with Chinese aircraft. As noted by Maciej Szopa from Defence 24, one of the factors influencing this decision may be that Israel is likely unaware of the specifics, capabilities, and weaknesses of Chinese aircraft. Pakistan is currently the only foreign user of Chinese J-10 aircraft.

The decision is likely political, as the J-10C, although more modern than the old versions of the F-16, is inferior to the new variants of this machine offered to Egypt.

CHENGDU J-10 — CHINESE MULTI-ROLE AIRCRAFT
The Chengdu J-10 is an aircraft designed in China in the 1980s, initially as a fighter aircraft and then, in line with global trends, as a multi-role machine.

Its serial production began in 2003, resulting in over 600 units so far. The J-10 has a "canard" aerodynamic layout, is powered by a single engine,
…what happens when poor maintenance causes that single engine to shut down?
and weighs about 43,000 pounds in take-off configuration, of which 12,000 pounds can be dedicated to armament.

Posted by:Thing From Snowy Mountain

#12  In Israel's interest, Chinese aircraft will deplete competent Arab pilots
Posted by: Frank G   2024-09-11 19:21  

#11  /\ They should stick with rice farming and manufacturing rubber footwear.
Posted by: Besoeker   2024-09-11 18:19  

#10  PRC has been trying real hard to build quality high performance jet engines and has so been lagging even the Russians by over a decade. So the engine in the J-10C is a maintenance hog and behind the curve as well.

Still, considering the fickleness of foreign governments having multiple suppliers has a certain logic. And of course the bribes are nice as well.
Posted by: magpie   2024-09-11 18:07  

#9  DDMan. Since the Kissinger accords we have paid Egypt a couple of billion dollars a year to keep the peace. The Israeli occupation of Gaza's Philadelphia corridor demonstrates that Egypt has participated in the arming of Gaza. Thus, it is now time to cut the $ cord with Egypt.
Posted by: S MAI   2024-09-11 09:56  

#8  State has been flipping Sisi the finger for the entire Biden administration. Quelle surprise.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2024-09-11 07:11  

#7  That $2 billion (or whatever) the US gives Egypt every year should buy a few J-10Cs.
Posted by: DooDahMan   2024-09-11 04:53  

#6  
Hopefully, the Egyptians remove the remote controlled Friend or Foe circuit, before Red China's hire's stand-in nation to start its plans to expand into Africa.

Maybe, the US M.I.C. has been "WOKE" up too much?
Posted by: NN2N1   2024-09-11 04:49  

#5  All that aside, I see El Sisi is determined to be a very, very, rich man.
Posted by: Grom the Reflective   2024-09-11 01:06  

#4  ^"Chinese copy"!!!
Posted by: Grom the Reflective   2024-09-11 00:57  

#3  ^ Friken' joke. The Lavi has better radar, better target acquisition and better weapons. My previous statement stands.
Posted by: DarthVader   2024-09-11 00:55  

#2  Chinese Chengdu J-10C said by some to be "more or less a version" of the IAI Lavi
Posted by: Grom the Reflective   2024-09-11 00:47  

#1  Some official got bribed well.

J-10C is a giant piece of crap.
The J-10C has been reported to have consistently prevailed in simulated combat engagements against Su-35 fighters acquired from Russia, with the fighter's reduced radar visibility allowing it to detect and fire on its target first.

Only in fixed tests. The Canards on the front along with that air intake (and the Chinese gods help them if the exterior tanks are on) make radar bounce around more than your mom to different boyfriends. The small body means it can't carry a lot of fuel and weapons so it has really short legs.

The Israeli air force will have a fucking field day with these things.
Posted by: DarthVader   2024-09-11 00:08  

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