The exercise

The drill continues a programme of periodic exchange between the two air forces. Chinese state media said air-combat manoeuvring was conducted on the opening day, with each side flying tactical exercises against aircraft of a different lineage.

The J-16 is a twin-engine multirole fighter operated by China; the Rafale, in Egyptian service, is built by France's Dassault. Because airframes of distinct design lineages manoeuvre against each other in the same airspace, both sides gain in pilot training terms, according to accompanying commentary.

What is actually exchanged

The substance of joint exercises usually lies in standardising procedures, aligning communications protocols and letting crews experience an unfamiliar aircraft's flight characteristics. That the flying follows set syllabus items rather than simulating live combat is also standard.

Egypt's air force has long operated American, French and Russian types together. An air force sustaining equipment from multiple suppliers bears a burden in maintenance and training, but reduces dependence on any single supplier state.

China's defence ministry maintained its standing position that the exercise is not aimed at any third country. The scale of the drill and its end date were not disclosed.

Regional context

With navigation around the Red Sea and the Suez Canal still unsettled, interest in regional air force cooperation is higher than usual. Neither side's announcement, however, linked the exercise to that situation.

This paper separates announced fact from interpretation. What is confirmed is that the exercise has begun and the nature of the opening day's syllabus; beyond that is observation.