China’s J-16 fighter jets have taken part in direct air combat drills against French-made Rafale aircraft during the China-Egypt “Eagles of Civilisation” military exercise.
The second edition of the exercise began on August 22, with Chinese and Egyptian aircraft participating in simulated combat scenarios. It is reportedly the first time J-16 jets have conducted direct aerial combat training against Rafales.
The J-16 is a twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter designed for long-range missions and equipped with advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and modern weapons. The Rafale is also a 4.5-generation fighter with advanced combat capabilities.
The exercise is significant for India because of China’s growing military cooperation with Pakistan. Pakistan already operates Chinese J-10C and JF-17 fighters and has shown interest in acquiring the J-16.
India also operates Rafale jets with India-specific upgrades and is pursuing the acquisition of additional Rafales. The performance of Chinese and French fighters in the exercise could therefore provide useful insights into their capabilities.
The drill also comes after the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor, when Indian Rafales and Pakistani J-10 fighters were involved in hostilities.
For New Delhi, the exercise offers an opportunity to observe how the J-16 performs against a Western-designed fighter. With China deepening defence ties with Pakistan, the lessons from the joint exercise could be closely monitored by Indian defence planners.