China’s Y-20 transport aircraft is set to make its overseas air show performance debut next month in Egypt, marking a significant move in Beijing’s expanding military influence in the Middle East and Africa. The Y-20, along with seven J-10 jet fighters, will perform at the inaugural Egypt International Airshow, held from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport.
This marks the Y-20’s first overseas air performance and the first appearance of the J-10 team from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) Bayi Aerobatics Team on the African continent. The Y-20, nicknamed the “chubby girl,” is known for its long-distance transport capabilities, while the J-10, or “Firebird,” is China’s first domestically developed advanced jet fighter.
The deployment underscores China’s growing military reach, with the Y-20 recently involved in joint counterterrorism exercises in Tanzania and spotted in Russia’s far east. The aircraft’s participation in the air show highlights the PLAAF’s focus on long-range mobility and combat-oriented training, as well as its ability to operate across diverse environments.
The performance in Egypt is strategically timed as Middle Eastern and North African nations increasingly turn to China for arms procurement, moving away from traditional Western suppliers. China has secured significant arms deals in the region, including a $4 billion agreement with Saudi Arabia and a deal with the United Arab Emirates for the L-15 advanced trainer jet.
Egypt, which has already acquired dozens of Chinese Wing Loong-1D drones, has shown interest in purchasing the latest versions of the J-10. Algeria has also become a key customer, buying Chinese corvette ships, missiles, and advanced UAVs.
China’s influence in Africa extends beyond arms sales, with the country becoming the largest arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. As China continues to expand its military presence, its participation in the Egypt International Airshow signals a deepening relationship with the Middle East and Africa.