Taiwan attack rehearsal in Egypt? China’s J-16s, KJ-500 and Y-9LG jammers practiced killing fighters

China has taken its military cooperation with Egypt to a new level through the Eagles of Civilization 2026 air exercise. Chinese J-16 heavyweight fighters trained against French-made Rafale jets in medium- and close-range air combat drills, marking the J-16’s first deployment to Africa. Beijing also demonstrated its long-range deployment capabilities, with Chinese YY-20A tankers refuelling fighter aircraft during the operation. The exercise comes as China strengthens its strategic ties with Egypt and expands its military engagement beyond East Asia. Could these drills offer valuable lessons for a potential confrontation with Western airpower, including in the Taiwan Strait? We examine the aircraft, tactics and wider geopolitical implications.