Egypt’s J-10C Fighters and Deadly PL-15 Missiles Shake Israel’s Grip on Middle East Air Dominance

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –Panic is mounting within Israel’s defense and security circles as Egypt’s recent acquisition of the Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets and long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles sends shockwaves across the region.

Israeli defense media warn that Egypt’s possession of  J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” and PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile could dramatically boost its air force’s combat prowess, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the Middle East’s skies like never before.

The PL-15, a long-range air-to-air missile equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, boasts a speed of Mach 4 and is believed to have an operational range exceeding 300 km, making it one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles in the world.

The Israeli defense website Nziv warns that Egypt’s pursuit of the formidable 4.5-generation J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” is more than just a routine military upgrade—it is a bold strategic move to modernize its air force and break free from its reliance on American weaponry.

However, Israel’s growing unease is not just about Egypt acquiring advanced fighter jets—the real threat lies in the integration of the PL-15 air-to-air missile into Cairo’s arsenal.

This cutting-edge weapon, designed for Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat, gives Egyptian fighter jets the ability to strike enemy aircraft from staggering distances, shifting the dynamics of aerial warfare in a way that Israel finds deeply unsettling.

For decades, Israel has ruled the skies, its dominance secured by a formidable arsenal of cutting-edge American weaponry, including the lethal fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters and state-of-the-art air defense systems.

But now, that supremacy is facing an unprecedented threat.

The arrival of China’s PL-15 air-to-air missile in Egypt’s arsenal could upend the balance of aerial power, as this advanced weapon outmatches the American AIM-120 AMRAAM with its superior range and deadly precision.

Despite boasting a fleet of 54 French-made Rafale fighter jets, Egypt has been denied access to the powerful long-range METEOR missile, a European-built weapon that could have further strengthened its air force.

The restrictions don’t stop there—Egypt’s F-16 fighter jets have also been barred from carrying AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles or even the AIM-9X short-range air-to-air missiles, leaving its fleet at a critical disadvantage—until now.

Why has Egypt been denied access to the METEOR missile?

The reason behind Egypt’s lack of METEOR missiles is no mystery—it stems from Israel’s relentless opposition to any attempt by France to arm Cairo’s Rafale jets with this game-changing weapon.

To this day, Egypt’s Rafale fleet remains without the METEOR BVR missile, not because of technical limitations, but due to Israel’s staunch objections aimed at preserving its Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over its regional rival.

Israel has made no secret of its deep-seated fears—a scenario where Egyptian Rafales, armed with METEOR missiles, go head-to-head with Israeli F-16s and F-15s in the event of conflict is one that Tel Aviv cannot afford to ignore.

Determined to prevent such a shift in power, Israel has exerted relentless diplomatic pressure on France, ensuring that the METEOR missile remains out of Egypt’s reach.

But now, Israel faces a new and unsettling reality—Egypt’s acquisition of the Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets and the long-range PL-15 air-to-air missile has sent shockwaves through the region.

According to Defence Security Asia, Egypt has likely already received its first batch of J-10CE fighter jets, each armed with the formidable PL-15 missile, a weapon that could rewrite the rules of aerial combat in the Middle East.

This speculation gained momentum after Chinese aerospace analyst Hurin shared images on his social media platform X, revealing two Egyptian J-10CE fighters in action.

And Egypt isn’t stopping there—the Egyptian Air Force is reportedly set to acquire up to 40 J-10CE fighters from China, further reinforcing its air power in ways that Israel finds increasingly difficult to counter.

The J-10CE is the export variant of the J-10C “Vigorous Dragon”, an advanced 4.5-generation fighter jet developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

At the heart of this growing concern is the PL-15 missile—a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air weapon designed to give Chinese fighter jets an overwhelming advantage in aerial combat.

Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the PL-15 is now regarded as one of the most advanced BVR missiles in the world, standing shoulder to shoulder with the American AIM-120D AMRAAM and the European METEOR.

For Israel, this shifting landscape of airpower is more than just a challenge—it is a direct threat to its long-standing aerial supremacy.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA