4 hari yang lalu
[Ryan Robertson]
CHINA AND EGYPT JUST LAUNCHED THEIR FIRST JOINT AIR FORCE DRILL — AND IT’S HAPPENING LESS THAN 100 MILES FROM ISRAEL’S BORDER.
THE EXERCISE — CALLED “EAGLES OF CIVILIZATION 2025” — BEGAN LAST WEEKEND AT AN AIR BASE WEST OF THE GULF OF SUEZ.
IT’S SET TO RUN THROUGH MID-MAY — BRINGING TOGETHER CHINESE J-10C FIGHTERS, KJ-500 SURVEILLANCE PLANES, REFUELING JETS — AND EGYPT’S MIG-29S.
SO — WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
THE DRILL’S LOCATION — NEAR THE PHILADELPHI CORRIDOR AND GAZA BORDER — IS RAISING ALARMS IN ISRAEL.
DEFENSE OFFICIALS SEE IT AS A SIGN OF GROWING FOREIGN MILITARY ACTIVITY IN A REGION ALREADY ON EDGE.
THE GOAL OF THE EXERCISE–ACCORDING TO EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS–COMBAT READINESS. SO MISSION SIMULATIONS, AERIAL SORTIES, AND JOINT STRATEGY DRILLS ARE ALL ON THE DOCKET.
CHINA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY CALLS THE JOINT EXERCISE A MILESTONE IN MILITARY TIES.
BUT IT’S ALSO FUELING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CAMP DAVID ACCORDS.
ANALYSTS SAY EGYPT’S TROOP DEPLOYMENTS IN THE SINAI MAY BE PUSHING PAST LIMITS SET BY THE 1979 PEACE DEAL WITH ISRAEL.
IMAGES SUGGEST EGYPT MAY HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED THE AGREED BATTALION LEVELS — THOUGH OFFICIAL NUMBERS HAVEN’T BEEN CONFIRMED.
WE CAN CONFIRM THAT CHINA IS DEFINITELY STEPPING UP ITS MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE REGION.
LAST MONTH — BEIJING JOINED IRAN AND RUSSIA IN NAVAL DRILLS IN THE GULF OF OMAN.
NOW — WITH JETS IN EGYPT — ANALYSTS SAY CHINA’S BUILDING DEFENSIVE TIES IN AREAS WHERE U.S. INFLUENCE IS FADING.
AND EGYPT’S MAKING MOVES OF ITS OWN.
THE COUNTRY’S BEEN EXPANDING ITS MILITARY RELATIONSHIPS — BUYING CHINESE WEAPONS AND ADVANCED ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEMS.
CHINA IS ALSO INVOLVED IN EGYPT’S NEW CAPITAL PROJECT AND SEVERAL MAJOR PORT DEVELOPMENTS.
OFFICIALS SAY THESE JOINT DRILLS COULD BE A POWER PLAY — AS EGYPT NEGOTIATES FUTURE FIGHTER JET DEALS WITH FRANCE, ITALY… AND POSSIBLY CHINA.
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