Multi-role PLA fighters travel 6,000km to take part in their first African deployment, refuelling in mid-air along the way.
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A fleet of
Chinese J-16 fighters has arrived in Egypt ahead of a joint exercise that will be the aircraft’s first-ever deployment to Africa.
The planes and aviators taking part in the Eagles of Civilisation 2026 exercise arrived at an Egyptian airbase on Friday morning after a 6,000km (3,700-mile) journey that took nine hours and required the planes to refuel in mid-air, according to the People’s Liberation Army.
It added that the service personnel involved in the exercise had started preparations for the joint exercise. The PLA has previously said the drills would finish early next month.