The Air Force of the United Arab Emirates has deployed its French Mirage 2000 fighters at a Chinese air base.

Planet Labs satellite image of the fighter jets at the Chinese air base was published by Military Balance.

The planes arrived in China for the Falcon Shield 2024 joint air exercise.

The Chinese side will be represented by J-10C and J-16 fighters.

Although the Mirage 2000 aircraft are stationed separately from Chinese aircraft at Hotan Airport, their presence raises the question of China’s access to the characteristics of Western military aircraft.

It is also worth noting that this type of aircraft is also operated by the Air Force of the Republic of China in Taiwan.

During the exercises, China has the opportunity to engage long-range radar surveillance aircraft, which potentially provides additional information on the ability of Chinese radars to detect European-built fighters.

The UAE operates the Mirage 2000 along with F-16 fighters, although the latter have not yet participated in Falcon Shield exercises.

Falcon Shield 2024 marks the second time two countries have participated in such joint air operations.

The 2023 exercises were treated by analysts as a message to the United States as China seeks to increase its influence and presence in the Middle East and Gulf.

It is also worth noting that the United Arab Emirates is buying Chinese military aircraft.

In 2023, the UAE Air Force received the first L-15 training aircraft from the Chinese company Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation.