Egypt’s foreign policy is exceptionally complicated (it is also one of the largest beneficiaries of US military aid). It seeks to balance its relations with the US, European countries, Russia, and China but is and often finds itself in a difficult position. The US has banned Egypt from purchasing Russian fighter jets while also refusing to sell its advanced F-35 fighter jets .
No to new Russian aircraft & the F-35
Egypt maintains working relations with the United States , European countries, China, and Russia . Through the Cold War, Egypt purchased Soviet military aircraft, but purchasing new Russian military aircraft is no longer an option. In 2017, the United States passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAASTA) , which sanctions countries purchasing advanced Russian military equipment (like fighter jets). This led to countries – like Egypt – canceling their orders for Russian fighter jets. The 24 Su-35S jets built for Egypt are now being delivered to also-sanctioned Iran .
Photo: Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia | Wikimedia Commons
Egypt is one of the largest beneficiaries of US military aid, receiving $1.3 billion in 2024.
Under the first Trump administration, Egypt agreed to purchase 20 US fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets. However, the deal soon fell through, with the Pentagon disapproving the sale. The US is extremely protective of its F-35 technology (which is why it has refused to sell the jet to the UAE and Turkey). Additionally, the US is concerned about upsetting the balance of power in the region, where Israel maintains a distinct technological edge.
Unable to purchase Russian fighter jets or America’s top-of-the-line jets, Egypt is reportedly ordering (or considering ordering) Chinese J-10C fighter jets.
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Egypt’s large & diverse fleet of fighter jets
On paper, Egypt has one of the largest air forces in the world. According to FlightGlobal’s 2024 report, the Egyptian Air Force is ranked 8th with 1,080 military aircraft or 2% of the world’s total inventory (ahead of every European country excluding Russia). In terms of combat aircraft, Egypt is ranked 9th with 326 fighter jets (the second-largest fleet in the Middle East behind Saudi Arabia’s much more modern fleet of 364 fighters ).
Photo: InsectWorld/Shutterstock
The Egyptian Air Force’s fighter jet fleet consists of French, Soviet, and American fighters. The backbone of the fleet is 218 F-16A/C Fighting Falcons and 24 French Dassault Rafales (with another 31 on order). Additionally, Egypt has 78 aging French Mirage 5s,43 largely obsolete Soviet MiG-29s,19 French Mirage 2000s, and 40 light fighter/training Alpha Jets.
Egyptian combat aircraft: Quantity (including training aircraft): Note: Alpha Jet 40 light fighter/trainer F-16A/C Fighting Falcon: 218 backbone of combat air force: MiG-29 Fulcrum: 43 Legacy Soviet fighter Mirage 5: 78 1960s French fighter Mirage 2000EM: 19 Rafale DM/EM 24 Modern and capable (+31 on order) Su-35S: 24 (canceled) Canceled due to CAASTA F-35: 20 (canceled) Canceled/suspended Chengdu J-10C: ? (rumored) Rumored planned purchase from China
Photo: USAF
There are unconfirmed reports that Egypt has signed an agreement to purchase Chinese Chengdu J-10C
A Closer Look At The Egyptian Air Force’s Motley Mix Of US, European, Russian & Chinese Aircraft
