China deploys J-16 fighters to Egypt for first Africa drills, extending military reach

China sent J-16 fighters and YU-20 tankers to Egypt for the 'Eagles of Civilisation' exercise, marking the first deployment of these jets to Africa. The move signals Beijing's growing capability to project combat airpower beyond its periphery, aligning military presence with its economic footprint. The exercise's scope and duration remain unclear, but the strategic implication is a notable expansion of Chinese power-projection reach.