[🇪🇬] Egypt’s purchase of a Chinese fighter jet is a reminder Cold War tactics are back in the Middle East

[Egyptian]

Date of Event: Oct 18, 2024

Source: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/10/egypts-purchase-chinese-fighter-jet-reminder-cold-war-tactics-are-back-middle-east

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/10/egypts-purchase-chinese-fighter-jet-reminder-cold-war-tactics-are-back-middle-east

The reported agreement for Egypt to buy the Chinese Chengdu J-10C 4.5 generation fighter jets is part of a broader shift from focusing on modernizing ground troops to bolstering the air force. The details of the deal have not yet been published. Nonetheless, it reveals Egypt has two motivations beyond backing its arsenal with another fighter jet.

Elusive Western technology​

The most important motivation for Egypt’s military diversification strategy (and the biggest source of frustration) is the perceived Western technology starvation.

A quick examination of the map around Egypt shows that the most significant perceived threats to its national security are located in remote places where Egypt doesn’t traditionally enjoy ground troops’ presence. These include Ethiopia, the Southern Red Sea, Libya and the vulnerability a potential Israel–Iran regional war would create. From the generals’ perspective in Cairo, this list is more than a catalyst to build a modern and capable long arm.

@Jiangnan @LegionnairE @ThunderCat @Lulldapull @TheNewb77 @PakistanProud @Sharma Ji @Vsdoc @Krishna with Flute @Bilal9 @Saif

 

[Jiangnan]

This is too regrettable. Our Indian friend said that Egypt is more interested in buying Tejas.

@Krishna with Flute

 

[Lulldapull]

Egypt should buy Iranian missiles and drones and produce them under license.

Countries like Egypt or Pakistan or Jordan or even this Al-Turkiya should adopt the Iranian low cost high value asymmetric warfare model.

None of the listed countries can afford overpriced western weaponry.

 

[Bilal9]

Egypt should buy Iranian missiles and drones and produce them under license.

Countries like Egypt or Pakistan or Jordan or even this Al-Turkiya should adopt the Iranian low cost high value asymmetric warfare model.

None of the listed countries can afford overpriced western weaponry.

Turkey is a different case and is a member of NATO.

They started manufacturing advanced platforms like German Frigates and assembling F-16s three or four decades ago.

I'd say Turkey's weapons and armor factories are as advanced as Iran's - if not more. Bayrakter etc. didn't just happen overnight.

Low cost is one thing, which does not prove advantageous in every scenario. Volume of onslaught can overcome tech, but only in certain scenarios, like missiles against Israel.

@LegionnairE I hope I'm not too off-base...

 

[Jiangnan]

Egypt should buy Iranian missiles and drones and produce them under license.

Countries like Egypt or Pakistan or Jordan or even this Al-Turkiya should adopt the Iranian low cost high value asymmetric warfare model.

None of the listed countries can afford overpriced western weaponry.

Assuming Egypt can afford the F-35. (Because Egypt has F-16).

What do you mean? Let Egypt use F-35 to strike Israel?

for instance. South Korea's F-35 must ask Americans for a link16 activation password every day. Then South Korea flew the F-35......

 

[Lulldapull]

Assuming Egypt can afford the F-35. (Because Egypt has F-16).

What do you mean? Let Egypt use F-35 to strike Israel?

for instance. South Korea's F-35 must ask Americans for a link16 activation password every day. Then South Korea flew the F-35......

Egypt Jordan and Pakistan are on US life support. If it’s pulled, these countries are all going to collapse in short order

 

[Jiangnan]

Egypt Jordan and Pakistan are on US life support. If it’s pulled, these countries are all going to collapse in short order

So Egypt bought J-10. to avoid their life being taken over by US

 

[Lulldapull]

So Egypt bought J-10. to avoid their life being taken over by US

No, the US told Egypt to go buy the J-10C from China, because it won’t sell any more arms to Egypt or Pakistan via it’s own aid program