Editing Egyptian Armed Forces (section)

===Air Force===
[[File:Egyptian Mirage 5 at Cairo-West 1985.JPEG|thumb|Egyptian Mirage V at Cairo-West air base, 1985]]
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF), a key branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces, operates a diverse array of aircraft sourced from the United States, France, Russia, and other countries. Its mainstay platform is the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]], with Egypt having received 220 aircraft as of 2015, including Block 52 variants.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=EGYPT F-16 Program {{!}} Turkish Aerospace|url=https://www.tusas.com/en/product/egypt-f-16-program|access-date=2020-09-12|website=www.tusas.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=F-16 Air Forces - Egypt|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article4.html|access-date=2020-09-23|website=www.f-16.net}}</ref> 

Since the mid-2010s, Egypt has pursued a comprehensive modernization of its air force to enhance combat readiness, diversify procurement sources, and replace aging fleets.<ref name=airforcemodernization>{{cite web |url=https://www.military.africa/2025/02/israel-wary-of-egypts-burgeoning-air-power/ |title=Israel Wary of Egypt’s Burgeoning Air Power |website=Military Africa |date=February 2025 |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> A central component of this effort was the 2015 agreement with France for the acquisition of 24 [[Dassault Rafale]] fighter jets, followed by a second deal in 2021 for an additional 30 units, bringing the total to 54. These aircraft are stationed at [[Gebel el Basur Air Base|Gebel El Basur]] and are equipped with advanced weapon systems supplied by [[MBDA]] and [[Safran Electronics & Defense]], significantly improving Egypt’s multirole strike capabilities.<ref name=airforcemodernization/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/exportation-du-rafale-les-inquietudes-de-l-armee-de-l-air-482410.html|work=La Tribune|title=Exportation du Rafale : les inquiétudes de l'armée de l'air|date=9 June 2015|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150615182756/http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/exportation-du-rafale-les-inquietudes-de-l-armee-de-l-air-482410.html|archive-date=15 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="dassault">{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-05-04/new-rafale-fighter-jet-deal-between-france-egypt-to-see-first-deliveries-from-2024-french-official|title=Cementing Egypt Security Ties, France Seals Large Warplane Deal|date=4 May 2021|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>

Complementing these are 46 [[MiG-29|MiG-29M/M2]] fighters acquired from Russia,<ref name="46 MiG-29M/M2s">{{cite news|url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2015/05/25/593348-soglasovan-kontrakt-na-postavku-46-istrebitelei-mig-29-v-egipet|title=Согласован контракт на поставку 46 истребителей МиГ-29 в Египет|work=vedomosti.ru|date=24 May 2015|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164540/https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2015/05/25/593348-soglasovan-kontrakt-na-postavku-46-istrebitelei-mig-29-v-egipet|archive-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> and legacy platforms such as the [[Mirage 2000]], [[MiG-21]], [[F-7 Skybolt]], and [[Mirage V]], though many older aircraft have been retired. The EAF’s rotary wing assets include 46 [[AH-64 Apache]] helicopters upgraded to the AH-64D variant,<ref name="boeing.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/news/2001/q4/nr_011203n.htm|title=Boeing: Boeing, U.S. Army Sign Contract for 35 Egyptian AH-64D Apaches|access-date=3 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111225920/http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/news/2001/q4/nr_011203n.htm|archive-date=11 November 2007}}</ref> as well as 42 [[Kamov Ka-52]] from Russia. The EAF also operates airborne early warning aircraft such as the [[E-2C Hawkeye]] and upgraded F-16s equipped with AGM-84 Harpoon capabilities.
[[File:Egyptian air force pilot.jpg|thumb|left|An Egyptian F16C Pilot]]
Efforts to modernize existing platforms have included the integration of Emirati-supplied Al Tariq precision-guided munitions onto Egypt’s Mirage 2000s, and similar upgrades on later-block F-16Cs.<ref name=airforcemodernization/>

Egypt has also explored expanding its fixed-wing fleet with platforms from multiple suppliers. Planned acquisitions included 24 [[Eurofighter Typhoons]] and 24 [[M-346]] jet trainers from Italy, although these deals were not finalized.<ref name=airforcemodernization/> More recently, Egypt has shown interest in acquiring Chinese [[J-10C]] and [[J-31]] fighter aircraft, potentially to further diversify its arsenal and reduce reliance on traditional Western suppliers.<ref name=airforcemodernization/>

While Egypt has historically faced US-imposed limitations in its access to long-range air-to-air weaponry, recent procurement choices and diversification strategies suggest a growing emphasis on achieving technological parity with regional air forces. This shift in air defense posture reflects a broader goal of reinforcing deterrence and ensuring greater operational independence.<ref name=airforcemodernization/>

In 2024 Israeli media reported that Egypt now possesses long-range [[Meteor (missile)|Meteor]] air-to-air missiles, capable of striking targets beyond visual range at supersonic speeds with high precision and a range of over 150 kilometres.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241119-israel-expresses-concern-about-egypts-long-range-air-to-air-missiles/ |title=Israel expresses concern about Egypt’s long-range air-to-air missiles |website=Middle East Monitor |date=19 November 2024 |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> Egypt has also received a significant amount of Russian [[R-77 (missile)|R-77]] beyond visual range air-to-air missiles as part of its MiG-29M/M2 deliveries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/egyptian-mig-29-deliveries-concluded-as-su-35-deliveries-begin/ |title=Egyptian MiG-29 deliveries concluded as Su-35 deliveries begin |website=DefenceWeb |date=20 April 2021 |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref>

For training, the EAF fields Grob G-115 and K-8 Karakorum aircraft,<ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scramble.nl/eg.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031216161315/http://www.scramble.nl/eg.htm|url-status=dead|title=Scramble on the Web – Egyptian Air Force|website=www.scramble.nl|archive-date=16 December 2003}}</ref> and has developed UAV capabilities through various private sector and international partnerships.<ref name="sagem.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.safran-electronics-defense.com/media/20150924_sagem-and-aoi-aircraft-factory-sign-collaboration-agreement-drones-egyptian-defense-market?shadowbox=1|title=Sagem and AOI – Aircraft Factory sign collaboration agreement on drones for Egyptian defense market|date=24 September 2015|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> Strategic airlift capabilities have also expanded, with Egypt acquiring two [[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76MF]] aircraft in 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://weaponews.com/news/65353379-jordan-gave-egypt-two-military-transport-il-76mf.html|title=Jordan gave Egypt two military transport Il-76MF|website=weaponews.com|language=en|access-date=5 August 2019}}</ref>