Egypt Aims to Be the Air Combat King of the Middle East
According to a report by RT Arabic, Egyptian Air Force Major General Mahmoud Fouad Abdel Gwad visited an exhibition by Aviation Technology and Export Corporation in Cairo. The major general emphasized that the partnership between the Egyptian Air Force and China is aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities of the Egyptian Air Force.
Major General Gwad of the Egyptian Air Force watched a model of the J-35 stealth fighter jet as well as its performance introduction. After the joint air exercises between China and Egypt in 2025, events in the India-Pakistan air war, among others, Egypt began to lean towards purchasing the advanced J-35 stealth fighter jets.
In order for Egypt to become the top power in the Middle East and North Africa and to become a country with influence, it must have air power capable of overwhelming Israeli aircraft and become the king of the skies in the Middle East. It seems that Egypt really has this idea now.
Israel has been observing Egypt's plan to cooperate with China to enhance its air power. Reports from Israel stated that Tel Aviv is increasingly worried about the fighter jet deal between China and Egypt, which may give Cairo air superiority and change the balance of power.
According to the Arab Defense website, the Egyptian Air Force relied on Soviet aircraft in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in repeated defeats. Later, they began to import large numbers of American F-16 aircraft, all of which were cut-down versions.
Although Egypt ranks fourth in the world in terms of F-16 aircraft numbers, Egyptian F-16 aircraft can only launch AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range air-to-air missiles, while Israeli Air Force uses AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles.
Egypt ordered 45 MiG-29M/M2 aircraft from Russia, and the result was that MiG-29 aircraft have lost every battle wherever they are deployed around the world, from Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, to the current India-Pakistan battlefield.
Egypt recently purchased 24 Rafale F3-R fighter jets from France but saw the J-10CE fighter jets outperforming the Indian Air Force's Rafale aircraft.
Now, France is promoting 30 Rafale F3 fighter jets to Egypt, the United States is promoting F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, and Qatar is offering used Mirage 2000-5EDA/5DDA fighter jets. The latest news shows that Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command (USCENTCOM), announced that the U.S. government has approved the export of F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to Egypt.
However, none of the MiG-29 aircraft, F-16 aircraft, Mirage 2000 aircraft, or even the cut-down version F-15EX aircraft can defeat the Israeli Air Force. They are all providing head starts for the Israeli Air Force. Egypt will still be firmly controlled by the United States, and Israel will remain the king of the skies in the Middle East.
Egypt Wants a Different Way of Life
Egypt now wants the J-35 stealth fighter jet. With a stealth fighter jet and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile with a range of 200 kilometers, it can see further, shoot further, and hit more accurately.
The current flaw of Israel's F-35 stealth fighter jets is that they lack ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles; even air-to-air missiles with a range of over 160 kilometers have not been tested by the U.S.
Why build defense forces? To maintain regional and national stability and establish national prestige. What's the point of buying expensive fighter jets that can't beat Israel? Now that the J-35 fighter jets are available, it's estimated that Egypt can't sleep because of excitement. If they buy them, isn't it possible to fulfill their long-cherished wish?
For decades, neither Russian nor Western aircraft could defeat Israel. Now, Egypt should entrust the task of countering F-35I aircraft to the J-35 aircraft. The suppression of Israel Defense Forces' high-tech weapons should be entrusted to the heavily armed Chinese military.
If Egypt has J-35 aircraft, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and our early warning aircraft, and if tactical measures are appropriate, it is possible to severely damage Israel and achieve a very respectable exchange ratio. The main reason is that Israel's territory is too small. The Egyptian Air Force only needs to look north from the Sinai Peninsula. From the northernmost part of the Sinai Peninsula to northern Israel, it is actually only 250 kilometers.
And the radar detection distance of the J-35 fighter jets exceeds this distance, and the PL-15 air-to-air missiles have a range of 200 kilometers. Israeli Air Force aircraft would likely be shot down as soon as they take off.
As long as the J-35 stealth fighters can gain air supremacy and provide protection, Egypt can use long-range rocket artillery and tactical missile systems to directly force Israel to surrender.
No matter how bad Hamas might be, but just a few kilometers away from Egypt's doorstep, the same ethnic Palestinian Arabs are being bombed, burned, and starved to death by Israelis for more than 500 days. Don't the self-respect of 100 million Egyptians have any thoughts? Egypt wants to live a different life.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503830880641663529/
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