【2026 Alamein Air Show: China's Air Force Makes Debut in Egypt with Four Aircraft Types】

According to Jane's Defence Weekly website on September 7, 2026: From September 8 to 10, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) participated in the "El Alamein Airshow" held in Egypt, showcasing four operational aircraft types, including fighter jets. Earlier in early September, China's Air Force had just concluded the joint exercise "Eagles of Civilization 2026" with the Egyptian Air Force. The aircraft displayed at the exhibition included: the J-16 fighter jet developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), the Z-20 helicopter produced by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), the YY-20 ("Kunpeng") aerial refueling tanker manufactured by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC), and the KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC).

This participation marks the largest number of Chinese military aircraft ever shown at a foreign air show, as well as the first overseas public debut for all four aircraft types. Previously, China had sent the special-livery “Eight One” Aerobatic Team (flying Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group’s J-10 “Menglong” demonstration aircraft) and basic-model Y-20 transport aircraft to international events. However, the variety and mission diversity of the PLAAF aircraft showcased at the El Alamein Air Show this time are unprecedented.

Although these aircraft had previously participated in exercises in Egypt, the official announcement that the Chinese Air Force would attend the El Alamein Air Show was only made on September 6. The KJ-500 is based on the Y-9 platform, equipped with a three-faced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar housed in a fixed radome on its back. This aircraft was first publicly displayed during the 2025 Air Force Aviation Open Event and Changchun Air Show.

Notably, the Y-9LG electronic warfare aircraft and the basic-model Y-20 transport aircraft—both also involved in the joint exercises—did not appear at the exhibition site this time.

It is worth noting that the Z-20 helicopter on display featured an unfamiliar silver paint scheme, which may indicate a specialized variant of the model.

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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875713792596996/

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