EIAS 2026 – Egypt open to all
There are over 50 military aircraft on display at the EIAS, almost half are platforms operated by the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) – a significantly higher number than the 2024 event. Aerospace industries from Europe, China, Russia and the USA all have significant numbers in the static park and all four regions are keen to strengthen ties with the country’s military – one of the biggest in the world
On the fighter front the EAF has brought two Dassault Rafales, two Mikoyan MiG-29Ms and a pair of Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52s are taking centre stage in front of the VIP grandstand. A sole Mirage 2000 sits close by on the front row of exhibits, with the type set to be retired soon. There are several examples of helicopters, from Russia comes the Mi-8/17/24, Ka-52E Aligator; European is represented by the Leonardo A109, AW139, AW149, Sud Gazelle and Westland Sea King and the USA is represented by a Boeing AH-64D Apache, CH-47D/F helicopters and Westland Sea King. Trainers include the Ryan RV-14A, Grob 120A, Dassault Alphajet and K-8E Karakoram aircraft.Among the transports on display are an Airbus C295M Lockheed Martin C-130E Hercules and Beech 1900s.
Not too surprisingly the United States Air Force is here, with five aircraft on display – two C-130H/J Hercules, a F-15E Strike Eagle, A-10C ‘Warthog’ and F-16C Fighting Falcon with the latter sporting eight Iranian Shahid drone kills on the nose. The three fighters are all currently deployed to the Central Command (CENTCOM) region in the USA’s ongoing war with Iran.
The Chinese have previously sold large numbers of Chengdu F-7s to Egypt but in recent years there has been very little. Despite persistent speculation the EAF has ordered the Chengdu J-10CE, sources at the show are denying the reports. Undoubtedly China is keen to get a biggest market share and there is a sizeable presence in the exhibition hall – particularly by CATIC. Just prior to EIAS, the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) had participated in a two week-long ‘Eagles of Civilisation’ exercise with the EAF, and it was a major scoop for the show organisers that four aircraft have shown up at ElAS.
The KJ-500 AWACS, Xian YY-20 air-to-air refueller, Harbin Z-20 maritime helicopter and Chengdu J-16 (Chinee version of modern Su-30) mark the biggest collection of operational PLAAF platforms ever to be seen at an international airshow outside of China. The Chinese presence in both the static display and the exhibition hall gives some indication of how important the market is.
The world’s third military super-power, Russia has on show Sukhoi’s fifth generation Su-57E, an enhanced Yak-130M which only made its first flight last month and a Ka-52E Alligator. All are surrounded by a sizeable number of different armaments and loitering weapons. The Su-57E was undoubtedly the star of the opening ceremony’s one hour flying display on Tuesday in front of President Sisi, and is appearing in the flying display every day. Russia has sold the Su-57E to Algeria, making it the first export customer, and is keen to build on that momentum in Egypt.
The aerospace industry of the United Arab Emirates is sizeable, showing off many of its product. EDGE has already sold Al Tariq precision guided bombs to the EAF, and is set to integrate the Thunder P31 and P32 Thunder on the EAF’s Dassault Rafales, just as they are on the UAEAF&AD Rafales when they are operational. A Calidus B-250T armed with a plethora of UAE weapons is in the static display, marked as a B-250E and according to one source is being bought by Egypt. Undoubtedly the Egypt market is one that the UAE government has clearly set its sights on.
Photos by A. Warnes
