From
www.israeldefense.co.il
Report: Egypt is making progress in talks to purchase J-20 fighter jets from China
According to a report by Tactical Report, negotiations are progressing with technical breakthroughs, but threats of US sanctions and customization issues are delaying the completion of the deal.
Ami Roxas Dumba | 03/20/2025
gypt is in the midst of advanced negotiations with China to purchase fifteen J-20 stealth fighter jets, sources in Cairo said. According to these sources, the talks are progressing well, with Egypt and China resolving many technical and logistical aspects of the deal.
According to a report by Tactical Report, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the negotiations, particularly regarding technical agreements on how to integrate Egypt's existing command and control (C2) system with the J-20 fighter jet. This integration will ensure the J-20's full compatibility with Egypt's air defense and operational systems.
Another milestone was reached in January 2025, when China agreed to offer training to Egyptian pilots and maintenance crews. This issue had been a major obstacle in early discussions, as Egypt sought greater autonomy in maintaining and operating the J-20 fleet, without heavy reliance on Chinese crews.
Despite the progress, several key issues remain unresolved, delaying the completion of the agreement. The geopolitical aspect remains a major challenge, especially given the United States' opposition to the deal. The US administration recently issued strong warnings to Egypt about potential sanctions under the US law "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act" (CAATSA), if it proceeds with the deal.
According to available information, the US has also offered alternatives, including accelerated delivery of additional F-15EX fighter jets. However, Egyptian officials remain skeptical due to past delays and political conditions attached to Western arms deals.
Egypt is also seeking additional flexibility in customizing the J-20 fighter jet, with the goal of equipping it with non-Chinese weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons from European suppliers. China is open to changes, but talks are still ongoing regarding Egypt's access to the J-20's software and radar systems.
Despite the challenges, Egypt remains confident in its ability to address geopolitical challenges and complete the deal within a reasonable timeframe. Sources familiar with the matter estimate that an agreement will be reached by mid-2026.
However, Egyptian officials are taking extra caution to avoid jeopardizing a key military relationship with the US, especially given that Egypt still relies on American military aid and spare parts for its F-16 fleet.
Negotiations between Egypt and China regarding the J-20 fighter jet officially began around 2019, and accelerated after 2022, especially after negotiations with European and American partners to purchase additional fighter jets encountered
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64683
Egypt News
A modern Russian ship arrives at the Alexandria naval base
March 20, 2025
Last update: March 20, 2025
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the arrival of the ship "Admiral Golovko" belonging to the Russian Northern Fleet at the Ras Tin naval base in the city of Alexandria in Egypt.
Consul General's visit
The Russian Consul General in Alexandria, Karen Vassilian, visited the ship, praising Russia's achievements in shipbuilding and supplying it with modern weapons
History of the ship's development
Russia began developing the "Admiral Golovko" ship in 2012, where it was launched for the first time in May 2020, and joined the Navy on 25 December 2023. It is the third under the government project program 22350.
Technical specifications
The dimensions of the ship are 135 meters in length and 16 meters in width, and it weighs 5400 tons. You can sail at a speed of up to 29 nautical knots, and cover distances of up to 4500 nautical miles in each mission, with a crew of 190 people.
Armament and equipment
The ship's military responsibility includes a comprehensive armament system including Kalibr and Oniks long-range cruise missiles, in addition to an A-192 gun of 130 mm caliber. It also owns the "Redut" missile system for air defense, anti-submarine electronic systems, and missile systems against land and sea targets. The ship is also equipped with platforms to carry Russian Ka-27PL helicopters.
https://d-dall.com/سفينة-روسية-حديثة-تصل-قاعدة-الإسكندري/
Source
The news from Israel will be withdrawn from the confirmation of the first deal for the number of 15 J-20 and 12 J-10 aircraft as rapid initial shipments as a result of the rising tension and the Israeli plans to displace the Palestinians
The deals with China are a diversification of arms sources so that Egypt does not fall under the influence of pressure from one of the suppliers
And Egypt will probably soon witness a project to produce modern Russian frigates as a Russian offer to Egypt for the project Project 220256 as an Egyptian reaction to the European restrictions on the development of corvettes and the European frigate that Egypt acquired and the restrictions on the Egyptian armament and modification on them, which led to Egypt's refusal to buy any new European units of frigates and corvettes until Europe changed its conditions and one of the Russian frigates visited the Ras al-Tin naval base Alexandria recently and regardless of the truth of the news, Egypt's desire to manufacture the frigate Project 22350 is in itself a means of pressure on the other suppliers as it did Chinese deals
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