MKS sports Egypt, Aug. 28, 2024. The flight formation is in Egypt for an air show, scheduled from Sept. 3 to 5. (Photo: Xinhua)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-08-30/a7625239-8f9b-4080-837f-b49505492899.jpeg" />

J-10 fighter jets from China's Bayi Aerobatic Team fly over the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Aug. 28, 2024. The flight formation is in Egypt for an air show, scheduled from Sept. 3 to 5. (Photo: Xinhua)

The Chinese and Egyptian militaries will soon hold their first joint drill in a move to boost cooperation, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. With the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force sending forces to Egypt, a Chinese expert said the exercise could pave the way for potential aviation equipment cooperation.

According to an agreement reached between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries, the PLA Air Force will send forces to Egypt to participate in a joint air force training exercise codenamed "Eagles of Civilization 2025" from mid-April to early May, China's Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on Wednesday. 

This marks the first joint training between the two countries' militaries, and holds significant importance for promoting pragmatic cooperation as well as boosting friendship and mutual trust between them, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China and Egypt enjoy good military relations, and their first joint exercise will further enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

The two countries' air forces share some similar training methods and tactics, and the latest joint exercise could pave the way for potential equipment cooperation in the future, Wang said, noting that the Egyptian side will get an opportunity to closely observe the Chinese warplanes' capabilities.

Egypt has already operated the Chinese K-8 trainer aircraft, according to media reports.

While the latest drill is the first joint exercise between the two countries, it is not the first time PLA Air Force warplanes have flown to Egypt.

From August 27 to September 5 in 2024, the PLA Air Force sent seven J-10 performance fighter jets of the Bayi Aerobatic Team and a Y-20 transport aircraft to participate in the first edition of the Egypt International Air Show at the invitation of the Egyptian Air Force, Wu Qian, a spokesperson at the Chinese Defense Ministry, said at the time.

During the visit, the J-10s and the Y-20 flew over the Giza Pyramids scenic spot, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

It was the first time the PLA Air Force's Bayi Aerobatic Team visited an African country for a flight performance, and marked the farthest distance it has traveled for a foreign performance, Wu said, noting that the event displayed the PLA Air Force's confidence and openness, and further deepened the cultural communication and friendly exchanges between the two countries and the two militaries.

Wang, the expert, said that flying to Egypt marks a long-distance flight. Such maneuvers could boost the PLA Air Force's long-distance combat capability and adaptability to diverse environments in different regions.