Is Africa becoming a ‘testing ground’ for Chinese power projection?

Six Chinese J-16 fighter jets arrived in Egypt last month for a joint exercise in what was the aircraft’s first known deployment in Africa.

In Egyptian airspace, Chinese pilots had the rare chance to train against the Rafale, an advanced French-built fighter.

The 6,000km (3,700-mile) deployment was completed in about nine hours with aerial refuelling, and tested China’s ability to move and support a combat-capable air package far from home.

Analysts say the exercise reflects a decades-long expansion of Chinese military activity in Africa and provides the People’s Liberation Army with a useful opportunity to test its logistics, equipment and personnel in demanding conditions.