Chinese tanker refuels Egyptian Rafale in rare air drill

CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force YU-20 tanker has been photographed refueling an Egyptian Rafale fighter during the ongoing Eagles of Civilization 2026 joint military exercise in Egypt, highlighting growing interoperability between the two countries’ air forces.

The image was published by an official spokesperson for Egypt’s Armed Forces on the social media platform X. 

Chinese aerospace expert Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, described the operation as an uncommon example of a Chinese tanker providing aerial refueling to a foreign fighter aircraft.

The joint exercise is being conducted at several Egyptian air bases and involves multiple types of combat aircraft operated by the two countries. 

According to the Egyptian military, participating aircraft have carried out joint sorties focused on air combat, attacks against hostile targets and protection of strategic facilities.

The drills also include aerial refueling, with the stated objective of improving coordination between pilots and allowing both sides to exchange operational expertise and experience in planning and conducting modern air operations.

Wang said the YU-20 and Rafale are naturally compatible for aerial refueling because both aircraft use the probe-and-drogue system. 

He said any technical adjustments required for the operation would likely have been limited because the two systems use comparable refueling procedures involving similar transfer rates and pressure.

However, he said the more difficult aspect of refueling an unfamiliar foreign aircraft is ensuring that crews follow compatible operational procedures.

Different fighter aircraft can approach tanker planes at different speeds, altitudes and angles, while their configurations and flight characteristics also affect the docking process. 

The successful operation therefore indicates that Chinese and Egyptian crews likely coordinated details such as rendezvous procedures, approach speeds, altitude separation and docking angles before the exercise.

The YU-20 is derived from China’s Y-20 transport aircraft and has been developed to provide aerial refueling support to Chinese military aircraft. 

Earlier promotional footage showed the tanker refueling several Chinese fighters, including the J-35, J-20, J-16 and J-15, as well as the H-6N bomber.

The China-Egypt exercise has also featured air-combat training involving Chinese J-16 fighters and Egyptian MiG-29 and Rafale aircraft. 

Chinese military experts noted that the exercise marks the first known participation of the J-16 alongside Egyptian Rafales in a joint drill.

China’s deployment of the J-16 and Egypt’s participation with Rafale fighters have been described by Chinese analysts as significant developments reflecting a higher level of military trust and coordination between the two countries.

The latest refueling operation further demonstrates that the exercise is not limited to simulated combat between aircraft from the two sides but also involves practicing how different platforms can operate together and provide mutual support.

Wang said the ability of a Chinese tanker to refuel an Egyptian Rafale could have implications beyond the current exercise. 

In a potential future situation requiring closer military cooperation, compatible aerial refueling could allow Egyptian fighter units to receive support from Chinese tanker aircraft.

The development therefore represents a notable expansion in the operational interoperability being demonstrated by the Chinese and Egyptian air forces during their joint training.