이집트, 구형 F-16 대체기로 J-10C 선정?

[위종민]

이집트가 구형 F-16 대체기로 J-10C를 선정해 8월 19일 계약을 체결했다는 얘기가 있네요. 이 소식이 사실이라면 파키스탄에 이어 J-10C를 운영하는 두 번째 해외 국가가 됩니다. 이집트는 F-16V 개량안을 고려했었지만 거부했다고 하네요. 2015년 도입한 MiG-29M의 문제로 러시아의 MiG-29 제안 역시 거부했다고 합니다. 

F-16.NET의 자료에 따르면 이집트가 인도받은 F-16은 240기이고, 220기를 운영중이며 A/B 및 C/D 블록 32 형은 블록 42 사양으로 개조됐다고 합니다. 가장 최근에 인도받은 기체는 2009년 12월 24일 계약을 체결하고 2012년~2013년에 인도된 20대인데, J-10C가 F-16을 몇 대나 대체할 지 모르겠네요. 

4,000번째 F-16이 이집트에 인도됐었네요. 

Egypt to replace F-16s with China’s fighter jets (defence-blog.com)

Egypt to replace F-16s with China’s fighter jets

NewsAviation

ByDylan Malyasov

Sep 7, 2024

Modified date: Sep 7, 2024

Photo by Liu Chuan

Egypt has reportedly signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons.

According to various reports, the deal for the Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” was signed on August 19, 2024. This acquisition would make Egypt the second international customer for the J-10C, following Pakistan.

The move follows growing speculation that Egypt is seeking alternatives to modernize its air force as the country begins to phase out its older F-16 aircraft. The J-10C is a multi-role fighter jet equipped with advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. Its capabilities have been compared to the American F-16, with particular strengths in air superiority missions.

The deal comes after Cairo declined offers from both the United States and Russia to upgrade or replace its fleet. Egypt reportedly considered, but ultimately rejected, an American package for modernizing its F-16s to the F-16V variant. Additionally, the country turned down Russian offers for MiG-29 fighters, following negative experiences with the MiG-29M aircraft purchased from Russia in 2015.

In a recent display of military cooperation, China showcased its J-10C aircraft at the Egyptian International Air Show, marking the first time these fighters have performed in Africa.

F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference

F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference

EgyptAl Quwwat al Jawwiya Ilmisriya Egyptian Air Force - EAF

F-16 Airforces main menu

Introduction

The Egyptian Air Force operates 220 F-16s, making it the 4th largest F-16 operator in the world. The F-16 is the EAF's primary frontline aircraft, and is used for both air defence and ground attack.

History

When Egypt had to rebuild their armed forces after the devastating losses suffered during the 1967 six-day war with Israel, it turned to the USSR as its main supplier for aircraft. Russian advisors and instructors played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the air force.

During the 1973 Yom Kippur war with Israel, Egypt's air force performed well but could not secure the victory. The EAF lost some 100 of its 220 aircraft during this conflict, including most of its MiG-21 and Il-28 fighters and bombers.

After the Yom Kippur war, Russia stalled deliveries of new aircraft. Because of this, Egypt turned to other suppliers, notably France and the US. In 1979 the government of Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel, ending over 30 years of tension and hostilities. With the peace treaty signed, Egypt became a major recipient of United States military aid.

Deliveries of Western equipment started with French Mirage 5 aircraft and US F-4E's. In the early 80s, Egypt ordered Mirage 2000's and F-16A/Bs, followed by F-16C/Ds in the mid-eighties.

Recently, Egypt has also turned to China as a mainly cheaper source of fighter aircraft

The 4000th F-16 delivered by Lockheed was F-16C #0103 for the Egyptian Air Force. This was only a pre-delivery serial based on the FY allocation (96-0103). It was reserialled 9728. [Lockheed Martin photo]

InventoryPeace Vector I

On June 25, 1980, Egypt signed a letter of agreement to acquire 42 block 15 F-16A/B fighters (34 single-seaters and 8 two-seaters) under the Peace Vector I FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program. The first F-16 was accepted by the Al Quwwat al Jawwiya Ilmisriya (Egyptian Air Force) during a ceremony at Fort Worth in January of 1982, with the first six planes arriving in Egypt on March 16th of that year. F-16B #9207 was rather exceptional, as it was built by Fokker in The Netherlands. By 1997, all Block 15 aircraft were (or were being) modified to block 42 standard (see 'Modifications'). Since Egyptian Air Force F-16s were acquired under Foreign Military Sales, they carry USAF serial numbers for administrative purpose. In service, they carry a four-digit EAF serial number on their vertical tails.

Formation of the first two Peace Vector I F-16A Block 15's (#9301 and #9302) over the Gisa pyramids [LMTAS photo]

Peace Vector II

One year later, Egypt ordered 40 additional F-16C/D's (34 C's and six D's) with AIM-7 Sparrow capability. These were block 32 machines, and were some of the few examples of F-16C/D's being built that were compatible with the AIM-7 Sparrow. In October of 1986, the first F-16C arrived in Egypt under Peace Vector II. The 242nd Regiment at Beni Suef began operating F-16C/D's in October 1986. By 1997, all block 32 aircraft were modified to Block 42's (see 'Modifications').

Peace Vector III

In June of 1990, Egypt signed an order for 35 block 40 F-16C's and 12 Block 40 F-16D's, powered by the General Electric F110 turbofan. This order was under Peace Vector III, and these planes were intended to equip two squadrons as well as to make up for attrition. The first Peace Vector III F-16s were delivered to Egypt in October of 1991.

Peace Vector IV

A contract to produce 46 Block 40 F-16C/D's for the Egyptian Air Force was placed with TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TAI) of Turkey. 34 of them will be F-16C's, 12 will be F-16D's. This was carried out under the auspices of the Peace Vector IV program, and marked the first sale of a foreign-built Fighting Falcon to a third-party nation in the history of the F-16 program. The first aircraft was delivered in early 1994, and deliveries continued into 1995. All but one of the earlier F-16s for Egypt had originated on the Lockheed/General Dynamics production line at Fort Worth. For formal bureaucratic reasons dealing with the rules and regulations under which the Foreign Military Sales program operates, TAI is not allowed to deliver F-16s directly to Egypt. Instead, the aircraft are initially delivered to the USAF, which then turns them over to Egypt. Egypt had received a total of 175 Fighting Falcons by the time all the TAI machines were delivered.

A five-ship formation of Egyptian AF F-16C block 40s (#9981, #9969, #9984, #9976, #9973) over the pyramids. These aircraft were delivered from 1994 to 1995 under the Peace Vector IV program. The day-glo panels help distinguish them from F-16s from neighbouring countries. [Egyptian AF photo]

Peace Vector V

In May 1996 the governments of Egypt and the United States signed an agreement providing for the sale of 21 new F-16C/D Block 40 aircraft to the Egyptian air force. The contract is worth $670 million. That is Egypt's fifth order of F-16s over the last fifteen years. The new Egyptian aircraft will be manufactured in Fort Worth. Deliveries begin in 1999. The engines will be the General Electric F110-GE100B's. Egypt will use the new production F-16s as well as the modernized F-16s to maintain a self defense capability. These new aircraft, as well as the aircraft being delivered from prior F-16 purchases, will replace aging Soviet-origin aircraft. As it might turn out, these new aircraft will be spread among the existing F-16 Block 40 units at Abu Suwayr and Genacklis.

LMTAS' Fort Worth plant began building the first of these 21 F-16s in 1999.

Peace Vector VI

In February 1999, the US Government and Egypt were close to announcing approval for sale of 24 new build F-16s for the Egyptian Air Force. Financing for the sale is in place through the US FMS program. Once the US Embassy in Egypt finishes writing the official letter of offer and acceptance, the deal can be announced to Congress. Congress is not likely to oppose the deal, since Egypt already has taken delivery of 196 of the aircraft, and 24 more will not shift the balance of power in the area.

On March 6th of that same year, the United States agreed to sell Egypt $3.2 billion worth of new American weapons, including 24 F-16 Block 40 aircraft, 200 M-1A1 tanks and 32 Patriot missiles. Egypt would pay for the arms from the $1.2 billion a year it gets in US military aid. The 24 F-16 fighters would cost $1.2 billion.

Peace Vector VII

On December 24th, 2009 the US signed a contract with Egypt for the delivery of 20 new F-16s under the known Peace Vector series. Notification to Congress already happened last October, so everything is ready to finalise this deal. With this new order the number of F-16s delivered to Egypt raises to 240. Although Egypt has a large fleet of GE powered block 40s, the new deal compromises PW powered block 52 versions. The order compromises 16 C-models and 4 D-models.

EAF InventoryProgramModelBlockQty.SerialsDeliveredPeace Vector IPeace Vector IIPeace Vector IIIPeace Vector IVPeace Vector VPeace Vector VIPeace Vector VII

F-16A	Block 15	34	9301/9334	1982-1983
F-16B	Block 15	8	9201/9208	1982-1985
F-16C	Block 32	34	9501/9534	1986-1988
F-16D	Block 32	6	9401/9406	1986-1987
F-16C	Block 40	35	9901/9935	1991-1995
F-16D	Block 40	12	9801/9812	1991-1993
F-16C	Block 40	34	9951/9984	1994-1995
F-16D	Block 40	12	9851/9862	1994-1995
F-16C	Block 40	21	9711/9731	1999-2000
F-16C	Block 40	12	9732/9743	2001-2002
F-16D	Block 40	12	9863/9874	2001-2002
F-16C	Block 52	16	9751/9766	2012-2013
F-16D	Block 52	4	9821/9824	2012-2013

Modifications & ArmamentModifications & Armament

Together with the 5th order, Egypt decided to modify older F-16C/D aircraft in-country through Engineering Change Proposals detailing requirements for the installation and integration of HARPOON and GBU-15 weapons capability, aircraft radar modifications and other related elements of program support. Principal contractors for the upgrade program will be McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Mo.; Rockwell International, Tactical Systems Division, Duluth, Ga. and the Westinghouse Electronic Systems Group, Baltimore, M.D.

All aircraft in the Block 15 and 32 series have been or will be upgraded with most Block 40/42 features, thus retaining the Pratt&Whitney F-100 engines and the small inlet ducts. As a consequence, every Egyptian F-16 (Block 15, 32 or 40) can accommodate the LANTIRN-system (they have been modified with the holographic HUD) giving them full autonomous laser weapon handling (i.e. GBU-15's, AGM-65D's). Together with the 6th deal, a batch of AGM-88 missiles was also delivered for usage on the block 40 airframes.

Operational ServiceUnitsPlease refer to the F-16 Units section for an overview of units.

Special thanks

• Henrik "The Viper" Gram.

[강준구]

이스라엘에는 F-35와 F-15EX를 팔면서, 이집트에는 F-16V를 파니, 뭔가 판을 흔들어볼 심산인가 봅니다.