Key Points
- China and the UAE conducted the “Falcon Shield-2025” joint air exercise from December 9 to 22, marking the first overseas deployment of PLA Air Force J-10 fighters, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and Y-20A tankers to the UAE.
- Analysts said the UAE’s use of Mirage 2000 fighters may have allowed Chinese crews to train against aircraft broadly comparable to those operated by Taiwan’s air force.
China’s Ministry of National Defense said Chinese and Emirati air forces have completed the “Falcon Shield-2025” joint air exercise in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first time the People’s Liberation Army Air Force deployed several frontline aircraft types to the Gulf state for combined training.
According to a briefing held on December 25, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, addressed questions on the exercise during a regular press conference. Zhang said the joint drills were conducted from December 9 to 22 and represented the third iteration of the “Falcon Shield” air force training series between China and the UAE.
Zhang said China deployed J-10 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, and Y-20A aerial refueling tankers to the UAE for the first time. He noted that Chinese and Emirati forces operated in mixed formations and carried out a range of training activities.
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“From December 9 to 22, China and the UAE conducted the ‘Falcon Shield-2025’ joint air force training. The Chinese Air Force deployed J-10 fighters, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, and Y-20A aerial refueling aircraft to the UAE for the first time,” Zhang said.
He added that the exercise included command and control simulations, air superiority operations, and exchanges focused on night operations, unmanned combat, and battlefield search and rescue.
“Participating units from both sides conducted mixed formations, organized command and control simulations and air superiority combat drills, and carried out in-depth exchanges on night vision and night combat, unmanned operations, and battlefield search and rescue,” Zhang said.
Zhang described “Falcon Shield” as a branded cooperation program between the Chinese and Emirati air forces, noting that it has now been held three times.
“‘Falcon Shield’ joint training is a branded cooperation project between the Chinese and Emirati air forces. It has been held three times to date and has played an important role in promoting practical cooperation between the two sides and safeguarding regional peace,” Zhang said.
The exercise covered a broad set of operational scenarios, including mixed air formations, command and control rehearsals, air superiority missions, night combat operations, the use of unmanned systems, and battlefield search and rescue drills. Official statements said “Falcon Shield-2025” was intended to deepen practical military cooperation, enhance joint operational capabilities, and contribute to regional stability and security through continued defense engagement.
The UAE side operated Mirage 2000 fighter jets during the exercise, an aircraft type that could be used to simulate potential regional adversary platforms. In this context, the Mirage 2000’s performance characteristics allow it to represent fourth-generation fighters similar to those operated by Taiwan’s air force during air combat training scenarios.
