Korea-China Export Battle at Egypt Airshow [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

KAI Introduces KF-21 Fighter Jet, Light Armed Helicopter, and More
China Debuts Y-20 Strategic Transport Aircraft in Africa

South Korea and China are competing in exports at the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS). The newly established EIAS, held over three days, featured participation from over 80 countries and 200 companies, showcasing more than 50 types of military and civilian aircraft.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) participated in the 'Egypt Air Show' (EIAS), which opened on the 3rd in the El Alamein area of Egypt, presenting its main aircraft including the multi-purpose fighter FA-50, next-generation fighter KF-21, light armed helicopter (LAH), and Surion, along with the next-generation air combat system (NACS) based on a manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) platform equipped with unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV), multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicles (AAP), and air-launched unmanned vehicles (ALE). Egypt is currently pursuing a large-scale advanced trainer aircraft project, making it a key market in the Africa and Middle East regions.

To this end, KAI installed an FA-50 simulator at the exhibition site to provide flight opportunities to air forces from Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, KAI is conducting export marketing for unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites, including the next-generation long-endurance military unmanned aerial vehicle (NCUAV) and ultra-small synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

Previously, the Korean Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, impressed Egyptian Air Force officials with high-difficulty aerobatic flights over the Egyptian pyramids in August 2022, demonstrating the excellence and maneuverability of their aircraft. At this air show, KAI plans to meet with high-ranking officials, including the Egyptian Minister of Defense, to discuss business cooperation plans aimed at securing projects in Egypt. Furthermore, KAI intends to emphasize the reliability and scalability of its aerospace platforms to key stakeholders from Africa and the Middle East, including Nigeria, Botswana, Qatar, and Iraq, while exploring new business opportunities.

Among international military aircraft manufacturers, China stands out. The Chinese Air Force also dispatched the Y-20 strategic transport aircraft and seven J-10 fighters to the first international air show held in Egypt. This marks the first time the Y-20 has participated in an overseas air show and the first time the J-10 has visited Africa.

According to the Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China was the largest arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa from 2019 to 2023. During this period, China's share of arms exports to the region was 19%, narrowly surpassing Russia's 17%, which had been a traditional arms supplier.

Chinese military aircraft took off from an airport in northwest China on the 27th of last month and flew a total of 10,000 km to arrive at El Alamein Airport, about 160 km from Alexandria, Egypt. Previously, the Y-20 transported Chinese troops who participated in joint counter-terrorism exercises to Tanzania last month, and it was also revealed that two Y-20s were deployed in Russia's Far East. In 2022, the Y-20 also carried out a mission to deliver the medium-range missile system FK-3 to Serbia via Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

This movement by the Chinese military coincides with Middle Eastern and North African countries showing interest in purchasing Chinese-made weapons. According to foreign media, Saudi Arabia signed a $4 billion (approximately 5.3 trillion KRW) arms contract with China in 2022. This contract included transactions for armed drones, ballistic missiles, and drone defense laser-based systems. Additionally, China signed a contract with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the sale of advanced trainer aircraft L-15. Egypt, which hosts the international air show, has purchased dozens of Chinese-made drones Wing Loong-1D and is currently negotiating with China to purchase 12 J-10 fighters. Algeria has also purchased corvettes (patrol ships), missiles, and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles including the WJ-700 model from China.