Rare Images Show Chinese Tanker Refueling Egyptian Rafale Jet Midair

A Chinese aerial tanker has been photographed refueling a French-built Rafale fighter operated by Egypt, an unusual scene from a joint China-Egypt air force exercise.

The image shows an Egyptian Rafale receiving fuel through a connected refueling system from a People’s Liberation Army Air Force YY-20 tanker while both aircraft were in flight. An Egyptian military spokesperson posted the image on X, according to China’s Global Times.

The exercise, called “Eagles of Civilization 2026,” began on Aug. 22 and is scheduled to continue until early this month at several Egyptian air bases. The two air forces are training for strikes against targets, defense of key facilities and aerial combat.

China has deployed J-16 multirole fighters, YY-20 tankers, KJ-series early-warning aircraft and Y-20A transport planes. Egypt has sent Rafale and MiG-29 fighters.

The published image drew attention because it brought together a Chinese refueling aircraft and an Egyptian Rafale, a fighter produced by France, during the bilateral drills.