UAE-China Military Drills: Falcon Shield

China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the joint air exercise with the UAE is again being held in Xinjiang province.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based think tank, notes that while the ministry did not specify the exact air base, satellite imagery suggests that Hotan Airport in Xinjiang is the exercise’s location. This site also hosted the event in 2023.

According to the IISS, the 2023 and 2024 editions of Falcon Shield have featured the UAE deploying at least six Dassault Mirage 2000-9DAD/EAD ground-attack aircraft, supported by an Airbus MRTT tanker/transport aircraft. Additionally, two Boeing C-17A Globemaster heavy transports were briefly visible in satellite images after the 2023 exercise, likely used for transporting support equipment and personnel.

Falcon Shield 2024 has introduced a new element—a temporary shelter typically used for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.

The UAE operates the French-made Mirage 2000 alongside the Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60, a model developed by the US and four other NATO countries. However, the F-16E/F Block 60 has not been part of the Falcon Shield exercises.

Training exercises featuring both Western and modern Chinese combat aircraft are becoming increasingly frequent.

A notable aspect of the Falcon Shield exercise is its location in China and the direct involvement of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) against Western aircraft. This marks possibly the first time China has conducted a direct military exercise involving Western fighter jets.

However, this does not mean that Chinese and Western aircraft have never encountered each other. Chinese jets operated by Pakistan have faced Western aircraft in previous military exercises.

China-Pakistan Military Collaboration 

China’s military exercises with Pakistan have also played a strategic role. With a mix of Chinese-made jets and American F-16s in its arsenal, Pakistan is unwittingly becoming China’s eyes and ears on Western technology.

Pakistan, a significant defense partner for China, operates the Chengdu JF-17 and J-10C aircraft, which were developed by China.

Before the Falcon Shield exercise, China had engaged in joint military drills with Pakistan. In September 2023, the two allies conducted the Shaheen-X joint air exercise in Northwest China, with the Pakistan Air Force showcasing their J-10C and JF-17 fighter jets.

In June 2024, the US Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) held Falcon Talon 2024, a bilateral exercise featuring the deployment of Pakistani F-16s and JF-17 Thunder jets developed collaboratively by Pakistan and China.

Additionally, the Pakistan Air Force regularly participates in international exercises like Spears of Victory in Saudi Arabia and the Zelzal series with Qatar. Spears of Victory recently included participants from Bahrain, France, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the US.

The Zelzal series, a bilateral event between Pakistan and Qatar, allows Western aircraft to train alongside Chinese jets. In January 2024, Pakistan’s new J-10C fighters joined the ‘Zilzal-II’ exercise in Qatar with Eurofighter Typhoons, marking a significant test for the J-10C.

It should not be surprising that whatever little insights Pakistan got from the drills with Eurofighters would have been quickly shared with China. J-10 remains the frontline fighter for the PLAAF as well as the Pakistan Air Force.

“Military drills can expose a lot of information. Interacting with pilots often uncovers technical details about the aircraft, including its strengths and weaknesses, performance metrics, rate of climb, thrust-to-weight ratios, and overall ease of operation,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd.), Former Director-General of the Centre for Air Power Studies.

“Additionally, flying the aircraft and observing various maneuvers, radar contexts, and missile lock-ons provides further insights. Modern aircraft equipped with computerized recording systems allow for comprehensive debriefs, where the entire flight path is reviewed and analyzed. So, Such exercises are one occasion to learn about adversity and aircraft,” added Chopra.

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UAE & China Relations

The UAE, traditionally aligned with the West, is now flirting with the East.

The growing military ties between the UAE and China are significant. In early 2022, the UAE ordered a dozen Hongdu L-15A advanced jet trainers to replace the Aermacchi MB-339 for the Al Fursan display team. Deliveries began in late 2023.

The strengthening UAE-China relationship has raised concerns in Washington, especially after the UAE’s 2019 decision to choose Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei for its 5G infrastructure. This decision impacted discussions with the U.S. over the UAE’s planned acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

The Emirati Air Force also operates Chinese medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs like the Wing Loong II. Whether Chinese personnel are involved in their maintenance remains unclear, but the introduction of the L-15A may require initial Chinese support.

Threats To Western Aircraft

According to the IISS, China has the opportunity to deploy additional assets, either openly or discreetly, as the host nation.

For example, the PLAAF’s airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft might be utilized to oversee the exercise, potentially gaining valuable insights into the capabilities of Chinese AEW radar in detecting Mirage 2000 aircraft.

Depending on the specifics of the joint exercise, it may also allow for an evaluation of Chinese fighter radars and the performance of electro-optical and radio-frequency missile seekers.

The effectiveness and detection range of the China Airborne Missile Academy PL-10 (CH-AA-9) imaging infrared short-range air-to-air missiles could be assessed during any dissimilar air-to-air combat scenarios.

While air exercises are controlled environments, they offer opportunities to simulate various combat scenarios.

Implications For Taiwan

The inclusion of Mirage 2000s in China’s Falcon Shield 2024 exercise has raised concerns for Taiwan, a flash point in US-China relations. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan views itself as a separate entity.

Notably, Taiwan also operates the Mirage 2000, with 60 of these aircraft in its fleet, and understanding their performance and capabilities through dissimilar air-combat training would be valuable for the PLAAF.

Not only the Mirage 2000s, but China would have gained deep insights into the F-16 Fighting Falcons that Pakistan operates. Taiwan also operates the most advanced version of F-16s, which are its frontline fighters to counter China.

The potential threat is that the PLAAF may use its air operations in and around Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, along with any Taiwanese Air Force responses, to evaluate radar and seeker performance.

Through shrewd diplomacy and strategic military exercises, China is methodically narrowing the technological gap with Western air forces, potentially transforming the landscape of aerial warfare.

Instead of direct confrontation, China is crafting a new playbook through a network of alliances and joint drills. This shift presents formidable challenges for the United States and its allies, highlighting the urgent need for Western nations to reevaluate their military partnerships and the sharing of sensitive technologies.