[Foreign Media: How the J-16 Unit Benefits from Egypt’s Experience Against the Rafale]

According to a report by Military Watch Magazine on August 24, 2026: As part of the "Civilization Eagle" exercise launched on August 22, People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-16 fighters have begun conducting simulated air-to-air combat exercises with Egypt Air Force’s Rafale and MiG-29M aircraft. This exercise marks the first deployment of the J-16 beyond Asia, with at least six long-range fighters flying over approximately 6,000 kilometers to reach Egypt. Based on the J-16’s performance record and publicly available specifications, observers expect it to demonstrate a significant advantage over other participating aircraft—its size and power far exceed those of all Egyptian fighter models currently in service.

The effectiveness of air combat drills heavily depends on engagement rules, initial positioning, simulated weapon configurations, AWACS support, and pilot experience. Nevertheless, multiple simulated engagements can provide pilots with invaluable insights into the flight characteristics of different aircraft, as well as the interplay between sensors and tactics. That said, despite NATO countries significantly expanding their military presence in East Asia, the Rafale has not been widely deployed in this region. The likelihood of the J-16 encountering a Rafale in real combat remains limited; the French fighter has repeatedly lost out in numerous defense procurement bids against the F-35 and F-15.

Engaging the Rafale offers valuable experience in dissimilar air combat, although the hypothetical opponent is considerably weaker than the adversaries China’s air force may face in East Asia. Still, the possibility cannot be ruled out that Chinese aircraft may one day confront this type of platform: In late 2025, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale, stated that France might consider selling the aircraft to Taiwan. Unverified reports suggest such a sale is still under consideration—if completed, these fighters could end up stationed along the Taiwan Strait frontlines.

Observers anticipate that the confrontation between the J-16 and the Rafale will be lopsided. European fighter manufacturing has fallen significantly behind both China and the United States. The J-16’s radar antenna diameter is more than three times that of the Rafale, and its home country possesses a larger, more advanced electronic industry, which likely translates into superior radar capabilities. The J-16 also holds clear advantages across key flight performance metrics—including maneuverability across all speed regimes and ceiling—along with substantially greater weapons payload capacity. Meanwhile, the Rafale uses the M88 engine, currently the weakest in production among fighter jet engines, directly limiting its overall flight performance.

In May 2025, the Rafale underwent its first high-intensity air-to-air combat test, with disappointing results: 1–4 Rafales were reportedly shot down by Pakistan Air Force’s J-10C aircraft, while the Rafale achieved no kills of its own. The J-10C is a lightweight, cost-effective model developed concurrently with the J-16, featuring roughly half the total engine power and less than half the radar power of the J-16. The J-16 serves as the backbone of China’s fourth-generation fighter fleet, with over 450 units in service. However, its procurement volume has already significantly declined compared to the more advanced fifth-generation J-20.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874410672028874/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.