Aviation

Charted plane by the French Army smashes into the sea off the Ivory Coast after taking off in the thunderstorm

According to the daily mail and Reuters reports. At least four people died when a 42-year-old Soviet-built cargo aircraft crashed into the ocean moments after leaving Abidjan, capital city of the Ivory Coast.

The aircraft, which was carrying cargo for the French military broke up after crashing onto the beach.

Several members of the crew survived according to reports on local media. The airport management company confirmed that six of the crew were injured with two of them in a serious condition.

The Soviet-built Antonov AN-26 crashed moments after taking off from the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan while carrying cargo for the French military killing at least four people

Thousands of people made their way to the crash site to watch the rescue operation

Firefighters and rescue divers removed two bodies from the plane, which had broken into several pieces and come to rest near the beach. Two other bodies were visible in the wreckage.

Ivorian officials confirmed there are four French citizens among the injured

Investigators believe the Antonov An-26 crashed into the ocean while trying to take off in a thunderstorm from the runway at the international airport in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Another witness saw two injured survivors.

The crash occurred during a storm with heavy rain and lightning and rescuers were hampered by rough seas. Though Abidjan’s airport is located in a heavily populated area, it did not appear there were any victims on the ground.

The name of the company operating the aircraft was not immediately known.

The airport in Abidjan, a city of around 5 million people, is a busy regional transportation hub. It is also used by the French military which operates a logistics base there in support of an anti-Islamist militant operation in West Africa’s Sahel region.

Courtesy : daily mail and Reuters

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.