Export potential? Chinese YY-20 refuels Egyptian Rafale in cross-platform drill

2-MIN READ2-MIN1ListenPublished: 8:00pm, 1 Sep 2026In a rare display of interoperability, a Chinese YY-20 aerial tanker has been pictured refuelling a French-built Egyptian Rafale fighter – showing a versatility analysts say could enable closer multinational air operations and improve the tanker’s potential for export.The photo, released by the Egyptian military on Monday, showed mid-air refuelling during the Eagles of Civilisation 2026 joint exercise, which began last month and is being held at several airbases across Egypt.The YY-20, also referred to as the YU-20, is the aerial-refuelling variant of China’s Y-20 strategic transport aircraft, designed to extend the range and loiter time of receiving aircraft.China’s J-10C fighter jet showcased at Singapore AirshowThe Rafale appears to be the first Western-made fighter publicly seen receiving fuel from a Chinese tanker after a YY-20A refuelled Egyptian MiG-29 fighters at last year’s Eagles of Civilisation drills, showing the tanker’s ability to refuel both French and Russian-made fighter jets.