At the invitation of the Egyptian military, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force dispatched a KJ-500 early warning aircraft, a YY-20A aerial refueling tanker, a J-16 fighter jet, and a Z-20K helicopter for static display at the El Alamein International Airshow, marking the PLA Air Force's second appearance at the airshow and the first time all four aircraft types have been publicly showcased at an airshow outside China.
The second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow kicked off at El Alamein International Airport in El Dabaa, Egypt on Tuesday.
The three-day event features aircraft exhibitions, flying displays, and an exhibition of aerospace, defense, and space products and services, according to the show's official website.
All four aircraft types on display are independently developed by China, representing landmark achievements in the PLA Air Force's strategic transformation.
The J-16 is a tandem-seat, heavy, multi-role fighter jet primarily tasked with gaining air superiority and conducting ground attacks, serving as a mainstay combat aircraft for both offensive and defensive operations.
The KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft is a core node of the PLA's airborne network information system, capable of conducting early warning detection, command and control, and cross-platform joint strikes with air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons across all domains, in all weather conditions, and in complex electromagnetic environments.
The Z-20 is a medium-lift helicopter with double China-made engines capable of performing diverse missions including air assault and transport under day-and-night complex meteorological conditions, with all-domain, all-weather operational capability.
YY-20A tanker plane features long range, high speed, large fuel capacity, and high compatibility, significantly enhancing the long-range mobility and sustained combat capability of aviation forces. It is regarded as a "force multiplier" for the PLA Air Force's long-range operations.
"We piloted our aircraft across multiple countries and regions, flying thousands of kilometers to reach Egypt. The entire journey was smooth and successful, fully testing the reliability of domestically produced fighter jets and our unit's long-range projection capability," said Jiao Lianjian from PLA Air Force.
"This airshow in Egypt marks the first time the YY-20 has flown abroad for an exhibition. Many foreign counterparts and journalists came to see our refueling equipment and ask questions, which reflects the leapfrog improvement in the PLA Air Force's long-range strategic projection capability," said Zhang Hang from PLA Air Force.
The El Alamein International Airshow is one of the largest professional aviation and defense exhibitions in Africa and the Middle East. Prior to the airshow, the Chinese and Egyptian air forces had just concluded the "Eagles of Civilization 2026" joint training exercise. The Chinese PLA Air Force contingent participating in the exercise directly was redeployed to attend the airshow, achieving a seamless transition from joint training to exhibition.
"From joint exercises to exhibiting on the same stage, the cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian air forces has continued to deepen. We will use this airshow as an opportunity to strengthen communication and exchanges with air forces from around the world, share our experience in development, and deepen practical cooperation," said Hu Min from PLA Air Force.
PLA Air Force debuts 4 aircraft types at El Alamein Int’l Airshow in Egypt
