Chinese fighter jet spotted over Saudi port hosting U.S. naval vessels

Situated on the Red Sea, Yanbu Port is not only vital to Saudi Arabia—serving as a protective gateway to the holy city of Medina—but it is also considered one of the most strategically important U.S. logistical centers in the Middle East.

Photos circulating on social media over the past several days show the J-10C operating in close proximity to sensitive U.S. maritime infrastructure, raising eyebrows among defense analysts and Washington officials alike.

The overflight occurred during a long-range deployment of Chinese military aircraft, which included four PLAAF J-10Cs, six Y-20 strategic transport aircraft, and a YU-20 aerial refueling tanker. The mission, conducted in mid-April, covered a distance of over 6,000 kilometers from China to Egypt. A KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft—a high-end platform used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance—was also part of the deployment, though it was reportedly transported aboard one of the Y-20s. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV confirmed the aircrafts' arrival and presence in Egypt.

These aircraft are participating in joint exercises with the Egyptian Air Force through May—an event that has caused visible unease in Washington, given the United States’ long-standing defense partnership with Cairo. Even more concerning for U.S. defense circles is the participation of the J-10C fighters in the drills, amid growing speculation—fueled by regional media—that Egypt may have already placed an order for the jets.

While China’s Ministry of Defense has dismissed these reports as misinformation, Military Watch Magazine suggests that the deployment and flight activity strongly indicate Egypt is seriously evaluating the J-10C as part of a broader effort to modernize its aging air fleet and diversify away from U.S. suppliers.

The strengthening of Chinese-Egyptian defense ties comes at a time of increasing strain between Cairo and Washington—tensions that escalated in part due to the Trump administration’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, an idea Egypt has repeatedly rejected.

The high-profile drills in Egypt, coupled with the provocative low-level flyby over a U.S.-linked Saudi port, highlight a growing trend: North Africa and the Middle East are fast becoming new arenas for strategic competition between China and the United States. Under President Xi Jinping, China has significantly expanded its footprint across the region, leveraging the gradual retreat of Western influence.