By Admin 
China is continuously strengthening its military presence and strategic influence in the Gulf region. In this context, the Falcon Shield-2025 joint air exercise organized between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is being considered very important. This large-scale military exercise was successfully conducted in the UAE between 9 and 22 December, in which for the first time, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) deployed many of its frontline fighter and support aircraft in the Gulf country.
According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, this exercise was not just routine training, but an effort to test joint operational capabilities in complex combat conditions and strengthen future military strategies. At a time when the geopolitics of the Middle East is changing rapidly, China’s increased defense cooperation with countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia is becoming a matter of strategic concern for many countries
China and the UAE held the Falcon Shield 2025 joint air force training from December 9 to 22.
For the first time, the PLA Air Force deployed its J-10, KJ-500, and YY-20A aircraft to the UAE to participate in the event.
The Falcon Shield 2025 joint air force training marked the… pic.twitter.com/UUpUU0NTbk
— Ministry of National Defense of China (@MND_China) December 25, 2025
PLAAF frontline aircraft in Gulf region for the first time
In a press conference held in Beijing on December 25, China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang gave detailed information about this joint exercise. He said that under Falcon Shield-2025, China deployed its state-of-the-art combat and support platforms in the UAE for the first time. Major Chinese aircraft involved in the exercise included J-10 multirole fighter jet, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft and Y-20A aerial refueling tanker.
Mixed formations and complex combat exercises
The special feature of the Falcon Shield-2025 exercise was that the Chinese and Emirati air forces flew in mixed formation and worked under the joint command structure. According to Zhang Xiaogang, during this period, exercises were conducted in many complex military scenarios, which included command and control simulation, air superiority missions, night combat and night vision operations, drone and unmanned system based warfare strategies, including search and rescue operations in the battlefield.
Role of Mirage-2000 and strategic aspect related to India
In this joint exercise, Mirage-2000 fighter jet was also used by UAE, which is considered very important strategically. Defense experts say that Mirage-2000 is a platform which is capable of accurately simulating fourth generation fighter aircraft. Some reports also claim that the capabilities of the Mirage-2000 are similar to some fighter planes of the Taiwan Air Force. In such a situation, for China, this exercise is not limited only to cooperation with UAE, but also gives an opportunity to understand the strategies of potential adversaries.
Falcon Shield as a branded defense cooperation project
China’s Defense Ministry has described the Falcon Shield exercise as a “branded defense cooperation project” between China and UAE. According to the ministry, such joint exercises not only strengthen military capabilities but also lay the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership. Experts believe that at a time when geopolitical tension, energy security and competition for regional dominance is increasing in the Middle East, China’s increasing military influence in UAE and Saudi Arabia is an important part of its global strategy.
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