Egypt's enigmatic airlift: Deepening ties with China
The Egyptian transport aircraft Il-76MF, which departed from China and made a stop in Pakistan, has sparked speculation about a possible transfer of Chinese air defence systems to Egypt, according to the Bulgarian Military portal. The lack of official statements from Cairo and Beijing intensifies the conjecture.
The Egyptian transport aircraft Il-76MF, which departed from China and made a stop in Pakistan, has sparked speculation about a possible transfer of Chinese air defence systems to Egypt. The lack of official statements from Cairo and Beijing intensifies the conjecture. Observers point to growing military ties between these countries, which may provide context for this flight.
Egypt and China tighten cooperation
The flight of the Il-76MF on May 11 attracted attention due to its unusual route. This aircraft, forming the backbone of Egypt's air force, is capable of carrying large loads, which makes it ideal for transporting air defence systems such as the Chinese HQ-9B. However, there is no confirmation of what exactly it was carrying—only speculation remains.
Mysterious stop in Pakistan
The stop in Pakistan, a close ally of China, adds mystery to the whole situation. Pakistan, which also uses Chinese military equipment, could have been part of a broader regional coordination. The lack of transparency from the involved parties only increases speculation.
Bulgarian Military notes that Egypt has been tightening its cooperation with China for years, which includes the purchase of the aforementioned HQ-9B air defence systems. This system, compared to the Russian S-300, offers advanced defensive capabilities at lower costs. For Egypt, which seeks to diversify its arms sources, the Chinese offer is appealing.
"Eagles of Civilization 2025" military exercises
The joint military exercises "Eagles of Civilization 2025" between Egypt and China, which started in April, could be related to the Il-76MF flight. These exercises aim to enhance interoperability and exchange tactical experiences between the air forces of both countries.
Although the purpose of the mysterious flight, which caught media attention, is unknown, it's worth noting that the Il-76 aircraft is a machine that allows carrying large loads weighing nearly 30,000 kilograms. The Ilyushin Il-76 is a four-engine jet transport aircraft that has been produced since 1974. Inside the aircraft, there is a crane with a lifting capacity of up to 10,000 kilograms, which is a significant improvement for handling heavy loads.
The Il-76 is powered by four Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines, each generating thrust exceeding 117 kilonewtons. Thanks to these engines, the aircraft reaches a maximum speed of 900 kilometres per hour and can operate at an altitude of 13,000 metres. The maximum range of this machine is slightly over 3,500 kilometres.
It's worth emphasizing that the Il-76 is not only one of the largest transport aircraft in the world but also one of the most frequently used. The aircraft factories in Tashkent and Ulyanovsk have produced about a thousand units of this model so far.
