A rating is circulating on Chinese language social media and running a blog websites, making audacious claims that Chinese language J-16 jets “teared aside” Egyptian Rafales throughout Eagles of Civilization 2026 drills.
J-16s, the posts declare, beat Egyptian Rafales 7–1 on the primary flying day over Egypt.
It provides: The one Rafale “kill” was gifted to Cairo, as a courtesy, extra for face-saving than the rest.
A Chinese language army blogger stated: Egypt has actually skilled the terrifying power of China’s army this time. When buying weapons sooner or later, they need to know precisely which facet to lean in direction of.
The supply of the 7-1 declare clearly seems to be somebody’s creativeness, as that quantity doesn’t seem in Chinese language or Egyptian ministry notes and has not been reported by a reputable journalist or aviation skilled. It’s not even a leak!
It got here from a spot infamous for breeding such claims: NetEase essays and WeChat army blogs.
On 23 August 2026, throughout Eagles of Civilization 2026 drills, PLAAF’s J-16s drilled towards Egyptian Rafales and MiG-29s.
China had ferried a package deal some 6,000 kilometers to Africa for the primary time: about six J-16s, YY-20 tankers, Y-20 transports, KJ-500 early-warning plane, and different help.
Final 12 months, Beijing despatched J-10Cs to drill towards Russian-origin MiG-29s. No scoreline was revealed.
This 12 months, it introduced the heavy J-16, which went towards the French-supplied Rafale plane.
Throughout social media, particularly in China and India, “J-16 vs Rafale” was trending. Not solely China, however many Indian media homes have additionally coated the drills passionately. Many aviation consultants and veteran aviators have taken be aware of the “uncommon” drills.
In spite of everything, India operates 36 Rafale jets, has 26 Rafale-M (naval model) on order, and will signal one other deal for 114 Rafale jets. The nation can be exploring the Sixth-gen FCAS undertaking with France, which may construct on the Rafale capabilities.
In the meantime, this was the primary identified stay coaching drill between a Chinese language fighter and a Rafale.
Officers and Chinese language pilots, reportedly, praised Egyptian pilots’ “stable ways” and “professionalism.” They revealed no rating. Cairo revealed none both.
The 7–1, and an accompanying rumor of a 2–0 beyond-visual-range bag scoreline, exist solely within the commentariat that stuffed the silence. One of many much less reckless Chinese language blogs acknowledged: the determine by no means confirmed up in official notices or common media.
Chinese language army bloggers be aware that the Rafale was purchased to win in BVR fight and never the dogfight. SPECTRA, Meteor Missile, and an airborne radar are the Rafale fighter jet’s most important armaments. Strip these away — and you’ve got a Rafale airframe preventing towards the J-16.
Importantly, Egyptian Rafales should not Indian Rafales. There’s a massive distinction: missiles, electronic-warfare suite, ways, and India-specific kits. Moreover, Indian Rafale jets have been personalized for high-altitude warfare, not like the Egyptian ones.
No Meteor Missile for Egypt
Egypt was Dassault’s first Rafale export buyer. The 2015 deal for twenty-four warplanes got here with MICA, SCALP cruise missiles, AASM Hammer bombs and Exocet anti-ship rounds.
It didn’t include Meteor. France withheld the Meteor missile after Israeli objections.
Israel reportedly argued {that a} Meteor-armed Rafale may erode Israel’s qualitative army edge within the area. It’s the precise cause why Israel opposes F-35 gross sales to others within the area, together with Turkey.
MICA is a severe missile. It’s not Meteor. MICA’s efficient combat is tens of kilometers, whereas Meteor is a no-escape-zone missile. Take away it, and you’ve got modified the plane’s idea of air fight.
Clearly, the Meteor isn’t lacking from Egypt as a result of Dassault forgot the pylon. It’s lacking as a result of the Center East nonetheless runs on an outdated rule: Egypt could purchase a French fighter; it could not purchase the French missile that might threaten Israeli dominance and its warplanes.
The US enforces a model of the identical rule on Egyptian F-16s, which have lived for years and not using a fashionable AMRAAM match worthy of the jet.
By ET On-line Desk
