Defense News published on 30 April 2026 an article titled "Investigation: Russia Shadow Airlines Use Algeria as Base for Secretive Missions" by Linus Holler.
A fleet of Russian military-affiliated cargo aircraft is using Algeria as a hub to project Russia's power deeper into Africa and as far as Latin America. In return, Algeria is receiving Russia's latest fighter aircraft.
Military Africa posted on 1 February 2026 an article titled "Pakistan Finalizes 1.5 Billion Dollar Arms Agreement with Sudan" by Darek Liam.
The Sudan Armed Forces is in the final stage of closing a $1.5 billion deal with Pakistan that could restore air supremacy as it battles the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The package reportedly includes 10 Karakoram-8 (K-8) light attack aircraft and more than 200 Shahpar series of tactical UAVs.
China and Pakistan jointly developed the K-8. The deal may also include the JF-Thunder multirole fighter developed with China and produced in Pakistan. This would represent a major upgrade for the SAF air wing.
The Diplomat published on 20 May 2025 an analysis titled "What a China-Egypt Military Training Reveals About the PLA's Air Combat Readiness" by Ying Yu Lin, Tamkang University in Taipei.
The recently completed "Eagles of Civilization" air force exercise between China and Egypt demonstrated improved integration capabilities of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). It was also an opportunity for the PLAAF to showcase to potential international buyers its newest aircraft such as the KJ-500 early warning aircraft and the J-10C fighter jet.
Military Africa published on 16 September 2024 an article titled "China's Y-20 Transport Aircraft in South Africa for AAD 2024" by Sarah Lesedi.
After participating in an air show in Egypt, the PLA Airforce flew its Y-20 transport aircraft to South Africa to take part in the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition. The Y-20 is one of the largest transport aircraft in the world and has a range of about 7,800 kilometers when fully loaded.
The South China Morning Post published on 27 August 2024 an article titled "China's Y-20 Transport Plane Heads to Egypt on Mideast Military Influence Mission" by Zhao Ziwen.
China's Y-20 transport plane and six J-10's, China's first domestic advanced jet fighter, flew over Cairo in advance of the upcoming Egypt International Airshow. This is clearly an effort to show off China's most advanced military aircraft to an audience in North Africa and the Middle East.
Defence Web posted on 17 July 2023 an article titled "Another Nigerian F-7Ni Lost in a Crash" by Guy Martin.
In 2005, Nigeria purchased twelve F-7Ni single seat fighters and three FT-7Ni dual-seat trainers from China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Six have been lost in crashes along with three pilots. Most recently, a two-seat trainer crashed on 14 July. The two pilots ejected safely.
The East African published on 24 August 2022 an article titled "Two Tales of a Weapons Plane in Tigray as Fighting Resumes in North Ethiopia" by Tesfa-Alem Tekle.
The Ethiopian National Defense Force said it shot down a plane from Sudan carrying arms to Tigray Defense Forces. The Tigray government said no such event occurred.
Military Watch Magazine published on 6 August 2022 an article titled "Sudan Discussing Acquisition of China's J-10C Fighters: New Squadron Could Be Africa's Finest."
Sudan's Air Force consists primarily of Russian aircraft. Sudan is in discussion with China for the possible purchase of the J-10C. If acquired, this would revolutionize Sudanese aerial warfare capabilities and make it a close contender for the title of the most capable fighter on the African continent. It would also give Sudan an edge over aircraft used by the Egyptian and Ethiopian Air Forces.
Tanzania's The Citizen published on 6 March 2022 an article titled "National Interests Prevail as African Leaders Tread Carefully on Ukraine Crisis" by Aggrey Mutambo.
East Africa states other than Kenya have been reluctant to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although Somalia, Djibouti, and Rwanda joined Kenya in the UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia. Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi abstained or did not vote while Eritrea supported Russia. Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan are heavily dependent on Russia for military aircraft.
Politics Stack Exchange posted on 2 March 2022 Eritrea's statement titled "What Reasoning Did Eritrea Provide for Its Vote on the UN Resolution against the War in Ukraine?"
Eritrea's deputy permanent representative to the UN said Eritrea's vote was "an uncompromising stand for peace." Eritrea opposes all forms of sanctions and wants to see the windows for diplomacy remain open.
Comment: There is some curious Russia-Ukraine background that may shed light on Eritrea's vote in the UNGA. During the 1998-2000 conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the two countries purchased high performance Russian aircraft and hired pilots respectively from Russia and Ukraine. Eritrea purchased eight MiG-29A fighter jets and two MiG-29UBs and hired Ukranian flying instructors and technicians. Ethiopia purchased six of the more powerful Su-27SKs and two Su-27UBs and hired Russian instructors. When the aircraft met in the skies over the Horn of Africa, the Su-27s outperformed the MiG-29s. The Eritreans were so impressed with the Su-27s that at the end of hostilities, they purchased several of them from Russia. For more information on this bit of history, see Igor Rozin's "How Flankers Fought Fulcrums in the Skies Over Africa" dated 14 January 2022.
