Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt and China have launched the second edition of their joint air force exercise, “Eagles of Civilization 2026,” bringing together multirole fighter aircraft from both countries for several days of training at a number of Egyptian air bases.
The exercise is part of an expanding program of military cooperation between Cairo and Beijing and is intended to strengthen operational coordination, exchange expertise and improve the participating forces’ ability to conduct combined air operations.
According to China’s Ministry of National Defense, the exercise is being held in Egypt from mid-August through early September. Its training program includes air combat tactics, air superiority operations, combat search-and-rescue missions and joint force-employment drills. The ministry described the exercise as the second of its kind, following the inaugural edition held last year.
The opening phase of the exercise includes theoretical and practical lectures aimed at establishing a common understanding of combat concepts and procedures. Egyptian and Chinese personnel will also participate in joint sorties, planning sessions and exercises focused on the command and management of combined air operations.
The training is designed to develop the participating crews’ tactical and operational skills while allowing both sides to exchange experience in mission planning, aircraft coordination and the execution of complex air operations. It will also provide an opportunity for the two air forces to improve communication and coordination under simulated operational conditions.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi said the exercise would further strengthen mutual trust and the longstanding friendship between the two countries. He added that the drills would deepen practical cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries and contribute to regional peace and stability.
The exercise reflects the broader development of defense ties between Egypt and China, which have included military exchanges, training activities and cooperation in a range of defense-related fields. Joint exercises allow the two countries to assess their ability to operate together while familiarizing their forces with one another’s procedures and methods.
For Egypt, the drills form part of the armed forces’ regular program of joint exercises with the militaries of allied and friendly countries. These exercises are intended to maintain combat readiness, improve the exchange of operational experience and strengthen cooperation in areas including air defense, air operations and command-and-control procedures.
The participation of aircraft from different classes and configurations is expected to add complexity to the training, requiring crews to coordinate across multiple platforms and respond to changing operational scenarios. The exercise also gives the participating forces an opportunity to practice the planning and execution of missions involving air superiority, tactical engagement and search-and-rescue operations.
The launch of “Eagles of Civilization 2026” comes as Egypt continues to broaden its military partnerships with major international powers. Cairo has maintained longstanding defense relationships with a range of countries and regularly hosts multinational exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and exchanging expertise.
The exercise is expected to continue through the coming weeks, with further phases focusing on joint sorties, tactical coordination and the management of combined air missions. Its conclusion will provide both sides with additional experience in coordinating air operations and evaluating the effectiveness of their joint planning and training procedures.
