In what could be an interesting military buildup, fighter jets from two countries that fought an intense air battle last May could now operate on the same side in the Middle East.
French-made Rafale fighter jets operated by Egypt and Pakistani JF-17 Thunders have reportedly been deployed to Saudi Arabia to boost the Kingdom’s security and safeguard it from the Iran-backed Houthis, who have carried out multiple attacks on the country’s key infrastructure.
If Rafales and JF-17 Thunders operate together, it would be a surprising turnaround from last year’s India-Pakistan May 2025 clash, when both the jets were on opposite sides and battled for air dominance.
During India’s Operation Sindoor, aimed at revenging Pakistan’s terror attack on Kashmir that killed dozens of Hindu tourists, the Indian Air Force deployed newly acquired Rafale jets while Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10C and jointly developed JF-17 aircraft. The PAF also used F-16 Fighting Falcons, reportedly confining them to support roles rather than frontline combat.
Pakistan claimed that its J-10C fighters shot down several Indian aircraft, including Rafales. India claimed it shot down scores of PAF warplanes, including JF-17 Thunders. The exact type and number of losses on both sides remain uncertain.
Egypt Deploys Rafale Fighters to Saudi Arabia?
According to reports in Middle East Eye citing Egyptian military sources, Cairo deployed a full squadron of Rafale jets to Saudi Arabia, along with eight helicopters, four large transport aircraft, and ground troops.
The deployment reportedly took place months before Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pledged military support for Saudi Arabia in October 2026.
Sources claimed that Egypt moved air defense systems to strategic locations inside the country and dispatched warships toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime passages. The strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and provides a crucial route for commercial vessels traveling between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
For Egypt, the security of this waterway is not simply a military concern. It is directly connected to the country’s economy.
Attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have previously forced vessels to take longer routes around Africa, affecting trade and reducing traffic through the Suez Canal. Any prolonged disruption could further damage Egypt’s already important maritime revenue.
Sisi explained Cairo’s reasoning for supporting Riyadh. He said: “We are talking about defending the land and borders of the Kingdom.”
Egypt’s parliament subsequently authorized the president to take necessary measures to provide military support to Saudi Arabia.
However, Cairo’s support for Riyadh does not necessarily mean it is prepared to launch a ground offensive to fight the Houthis. According to sources, senior Egyptian military leaders remain divided over sending Egyptian troops across the border for ground operations.
Pakistan Sends JF-17 Fighters to Saudi Arabia
Pakistan has also strengthened its military presence in Saudi Arabia as per the mutual defense pact with the Kingdom.
According to a Reuters report published in May 2026, Pakistan deployed approximately 8,000 troops, a squadron of around 16 fighter aircraft, two drone squadrons, and a Chinese-made HQ-9 air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense agreement.
Most of the deployed fighter aircraft were JF-17 Thunder jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
The deployment is noteworthy as it gives Saudi Arabia access to Pakistani jets and military personnel at a time when the Kingdom faces growing security threats from the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have maintained close military relations for decades. Pakistani military personnel have served in the Kingdom in training, advisory, and other roles, while Riyadh has provided Islamabad with important economic and financial support.
The two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025, reinforcing their unofficial defense partnership. It remains unclear whether Riyadh would get involved if another India-Pakistan clash erupts.
A report by The New York Times in October 2026 claimed that Pakistani aircraft were being used in operations against the Houthis. Pakistan rejected the report, calling it “fake and fabricated,” as EurAsian Times reported.
“The claim in the above-referenced NYT report that Pakistan Air Force aircraft are being used against the Houthis is fake and fabricated,” Pakistan’s Information Ministry said.
In an X post, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting wrote: Fact Check | Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The NYT above-referenced story attributing the employment of PAF aircraft against the Houthis is fake and fabricated. International Media houses are again asked to avoid speculative reporting regarding the employment of Pakistan’s Military Forces under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. Details of any employment, if necessary, will be given by concerned authorities. Truth Prevails over Falsehood.
Meaning, during an October 9 press briefing, a Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized that their troops would not cross into Yemen to launch attacks against the Houthis. “These forces would not cross the border into Yemen to launch attacks against the Houthis,” the spokesperson said, adding that they would be used to defend Saudi territory and protect its sovereignty.
Rafale and JF-17 Thunder in the Same Team
The possible presence of Egyptian Rafales and Pakistani JF-17 fighters in Saudi Arabia is likely to raise many eyebrows in France and India. Both jets could potentially operate alongside each other as part of a broader effort to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi missile and drone attacks, which have been battering its Airports and Oil facilities.
However, India’s Rafales are quite different from Egyptian Rafales, even though both countries fly the same French aircraft. While the Rafale shares a common airframe, engine, and basic flight characteristics, its missiles, sensors, and electronic warfare (EW) systems can vary.
India has customized its Rafale jets for high-altitude operations, specifically to gain an advantage over Pakistan and China’s Air Forces. IAF Rafales are equipped with advanced systems, including the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, and also incorporate country-specific modifications and communication systems.
As the first international customer for the Rafale, Egypt ended up with a less advanced model than India. Purchase limits and different defense priorities mean Egypt’s jets carry fewer high-end weapons. For instance, unlike India’s Rafales, Egypt’s jets do not carry the long-range Meteor missile.
In short, India’s Rafales are more advanced and better armed for high-end fights than Egyptian counterparts. On the contrary, the JF-17s deployed by Pakistan are the exact same configuration that it used against India during the May 2025 clash.
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