SinoDefence Forum

SteelBird

Hi Experts:

To my knowledge 60 trainers is a very big number. Do the nations you mention above have the ability and need to operate such a large number of trainers? You missed two things: First, you assume the news is 100% true, while I'd withhold some. Second, Egypt is another big operator of the K-8 and has the assembly line of the bird. If Egypt wants to acquire more K-8, do they need to buy kits from China?

tphuang

Hongdu reported in the stock market as a standard company news release. All companies that deal with military do this to pump up their share prices. So, we can pretty much assume it to be true. As for Egypt, it can be them. They are not in Asia.

plawolf

Lets not forget the central Asian former soviet republics. True they all operate soviet equipment, but most of that is pretty old and probably in need of replacement by now.

While Russia would be the natural choice for most to turn to for new arms, there are a few notable exceptions with some countries not being on the best of terms with Russia right now. The Ukraine kinda springs to mind.

They have been cooperating with China pretty closely on military tech in the past, and I seem to recall a recent interview where one of their leaders said they wanted to strength military ties with China more and also hinted at bilateral arms trade - as in both buying and selling to each other, which suggest there are Chinese systems they are interested in.

lilzz

Good news, the L-15 trainer will become supersonic speed with the new license produced engine of ＡＩ－２２２－２５F from Ukraine.

There's even possibility L-15 can be onboard the carrier.

It's twin-engined light weight fighter.

Semi-Lobster

This isn't really news at all, we've all known that for nearly a year now I think

lilzz

The current L-15 is only subsonic.

/W the new engine it can turned into something more maybe a fighter.

Roger604

That might come too late. The J-15 naval flanker is too far ahead for PLAN to really try to consider adding a light fighter.

Semi-Lobster

Sorry, I should have been more specific, what I mean't to say is that there are two 'variants' of the L-15, the 'AJT' (Advance jet trainer) variant which has been around since 2005. The AJT variant was supposed to have two AI-222-25 engines (without afterburners) but problems with the engine led to testing with the DV-2 turbofan engines. The other variant is the 'LIFT' (Lead in fighter trainer) which would have the AI-222-25F engines with afterburners, as far as I know that, that hasn't happened yet since I haven't heard of any 06 prototype after the 05 AJT prototype with the I-222-25 earlier this year. But if you are correct and that Hongdu has finally sorted out those miserable problems with the engine then that would be a hugebreak through

Semi-Lobster

I can see the L-15 as a naval trainer though, specialised naval trainers like the T-45 Goshawk have proven a great asset to the USN.

Sczepan

I don't think so
1) PLANAF need trainer jets first before using J-15
2) JL-15 is in front of development - including flight test program
3) JL-15 could be also used in light weight ground attack role, used by smaller "amphibious carriers" (which I prefer as first indegenious chinese carrier for a lot of reasons)

sydneylaide

It is official that PLANAF will use JJ-9 from Guizhou AC for carrier-borne trainer/light attacker role before L15 is ready

Roger604

What are earth are you talking about? That is hogwash.

King_Comm

How will expect a plane based on MiG-21 to be able to take off and land on a carrier?

tphuang

2009年9月22日，江西洪都航空工业股份有限公司与中航技进出口有限责任公司签订了向某
出口18架 K8飞机的合同，飞机交付期为2009年6架、2010年12架。预计该项合同对公司今
和明年的经营业绩将产生积极影响。同日，双方签订了向非洲某国出口10架 K8飞机的合同
飞机交付期为2011年10月前。

more news about K-8, first talks about CATIC signing a contract with Hongdu on Sep 22nd to export 18 K-8s (I think it's talking about Venezuela) for delivering 6 this year and 12 next year. They also signed a contract for exporting 10 K-8s to an African country to be delivered by October 2011. This is on top of the 60 K-8s earlier this month.

Semi-Lobster

I wonder who ordered them in Africa? It must be somebody 'new' or they would have probably mentioned it then