China’s Stealth Game: How Egypt’s New Arsenal Shatters Israel’s Military Dominance

In recent days, part of Israel’s security community and institutions have raised alarms regarding Egypt’s military developments, viewing them as a threat to Israel’s aerial superiority. This is not the first time Israeli security agencies have warned about the erosion of the regime’s air dominance, but the direct reference to Egypt signals a shift in the Zionist entity’s threat priorities.

A report published by the Hebrew website *Natsiu Net* highlights growing concerns within Israeli security and media circles over the deepening military cooperation between Cairo and Beijing. The report explains that Egypt has begun upgrading its arsenal with Chinese weaponry, which could trigger a strategic shift in the regional balance of power.

Among the most prominent Chinese weapons flagged as potential threats are:
1. J-10C Fighter Jet: An advanced aircraft comparable to the American F-16, which has previously demonstrated effectiveness in intercepting French Rafale jets. Its relatively low cost makes it attractive for major regional players like Egypt and Iran.
2. PL-15 and PL-17 Long-Range Air-to-Ground Missiles: Capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometers away, these missiles pose a threat to both military and civilian aircraft.
3. Advanced Drones: Used for high-precision offensive and reconnaissance missions.
4. Laser Anti-Drone Systems: Already acquired by Saudi Arabia, Egypt is considering integrating them into its defense systems.
5. Stealth J-20 Fighter: Priced exorbitantly (around $110 million), its combat capabilities—near those of the American F-22—combined with stealth technology and long-range precision missiles, make it the most dangerous potential threat. If Egypt acquires it, Israel’s air superiority could be directly undermined.

These Israeli concerns fit into a broader geopolitical and military shift in the region, particularly as some Arab states diversify their arms sources, moving away from the West and opting for Chinese alternatives due to competitive pricing and fewer political restrictions.

The Israeli regime’s fury at China stems from Beijing’s supply of high-quality radar systems to Egypt. Israel was the first entity in West Asia to acquire fifth-generation stealth fighters (militarily designated as F-35I, referred to by Tel Aviv as *Adir*), obtained through U.S. contracts and support. The Israeli military has heavily focused on expanding its fleet of American stealth fighters, aiming to double their numbers. Thus, the Egypt-China radar deal is a severe blow to Israel, as Egypt now possesses advanced stealth-detection radar technology.

For years, the U.S. has imposed restrictions on selling certain advanced weapons to Egypt—primarily to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME). Washington is committed to ensuring Israel’s military superiority in West Asia, meaning the Zionist regime must maintain qualitative dominance in weapons and technology compared to its neighbors to safeguard its existence. In this context, Egypt has shifted its focus to China, signing contracts for advanced Chinese fighter jets, including the Chengdu J-10C and Shenyang J-31.

Several Israeli media reports have revealed Egypt’s procurement of Chinese jets equipped with GC-10 air-to-air missiles, each with a range of approximately 300 km—capable of reaching Tel Aviv from occupied territories. Unsurprisingly, the Zionist regime is deeply troubled by these developments, as they raise not only Israeli but also joint U.S.-Israeli concerns, especially after China’s post-Gaza war supply of advanced missile and radar systems to Egypt—posing a major strategic question for both nations.
Ultimately, while Egypt and Israel have maintained peace since the Camp David Accords, Egypt’s military strengthening—especially in aerial capabilities—with Chinese assistance serves as a dire warning for the Zionist regime. This shift reflects a changing regional power balance, one that could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the coming years.

Moreover, the Egypt-China military partnership sends a clear message to Europe and the U.S.: Cairo now asserts independence in its political decisions. Nations that previously pressured Egypt—whether on Gaza or other issues, even at the expense of Egypt’s national interests—can no longer exert such influence. With Egypt’s progress and changing circumstances, external pressures will fail to divert it from its path of advancement and political sovereignty.

*Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Hakimeh Zaem Bashi