Summary US refuses to sell F-35s to Egypt Egypt exploring options with Chinese jets Egypt could be offered US F-16s or F-15s instead Egypt may consider purchasing fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets from China, as the United States refuses to sell formerly-promised F-35s . The United States is very protective regarding who it sells its F-35 fighters to ( several other countries in the region have been banned from purchasing it ). The United States often puts strict conditions on countries purchasing F-35s.
Egypt considers purchasing Chinese jets It is unclear if Egypt is serious about purchasing Chinese J-10C fighters (the Chinese answer to the F-16) or the FC-31 (a prototype low-end fifth-generation fighter jet still in its prototype stage). China has an export ban on its most advanced fighter - the J-20 Mighty Dragon (although there are reports Egypt has asked to purchase it). Likewise, the United Arab Emirates reportedly wants to purchase Chinese jets as the US also refuses to sell it F-35s.
"China is interested in selling fighter jets to Egypt, assuming that such deals could lead to additional transactions for military and defense products. However, some experts believe there is cause for concern as Cairo might be cautious about damaging its relations with the U.S.
if it opts to purchase aircraft from China." - Israel Defense The story of the Egyptian Air Force is an interesting one. Former President Trump agreed to sell Egypt 20 F-35s in 2018, but this agreement wa.