Egypt's mysterious flight fuels Chinese arms speculation

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.

The flight of the Il-76MF on 11th May attracted attention due to its unusual route. This aircraft, forming the backbone of Egypt's air force, is capable of carrying large loads, making 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.

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 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, including 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.

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 for carrying large loads weighing nearly 30,000 kilogrammes. 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 kilogrammes, a significant improvement for handling heavy loads.

The Il-76 is powered by four Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines, each generating thrust exceeding 120 kilonewtons. Thanks to these engines, the aircraft reaches a maximum speed of 900 kilometres per hour and can operate at an altitude of 12,800 metres. The maximum range of this aircraft is slightly over 3,500 kilometres.

It's worth emphasising 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.