Simbabwe to buy chinese military jets

I can't remember where I read it, but according to either the Times or the BBC, future deals with China may go sour because his last couple of cheques have bounced.

It seams that K-8 is slowly becoming one of more successful Chinese military exports. IMHO jet trainers are perfect solution for African air forces operational requirements.

They have much lower operational costs compared to more capable military jets (one flight hour for K-8 cost much less then flight hour of modern fighter), they are easier to maintain and they have more then enough punch for missions they will conduct in most of African air forces(CAS and/ore COIN against lightly armed guerillas).

I found a Internet-source :
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2e1e67c6-332...0779e2340.html

Zimbabwe to buy more Chinese aircraft
By Tony Hawkins in Harare

Published: August 24 2006 05:59 | Last updated: August 24 2006 05:59

Zimbabwe has managed to buy six more military aircraft from China despite its financial troubles, the government revealed on Wednesday.
...

in August 2005 we heard about licences to produce the JL-8 (K-8) by egybt - looks like china is opening a new big market in africa, and if the africans ar willing to change - next step could be chinese fighters

Zimbabwe’s economy has shrunk by more than a third since the late 1990s, with inflation at more than 1,180 per cent and unemployment at about 70 per cent.

Economists said that would have increased the military’s share of the total budget to 12 per cent from 6.5 per cent in the original budget.

Wow, I am so, so happy that I am not a Zimbabwean! That is not economic prudency by any stretch of the imagination.

Zimbabwe: Chinese Aircraft Deal Irks Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe could soon establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the purchase of three Modern Ark (MA) 60 planes bought from China a year ago but currently facing serious technical problems.

The disclosure comes amid revelations by some senior Zanu PF officials and MPs that they are shunning the aircraft plying the domestic routes fearing for their lives.

Describing the US$22 million Chinese deal as "suspicious", politburo sources told The Standard that Mugabe was irked by the buy-two-and-get-one-free deal with no provision for spare parts.

Curious article considering this latest deal.

Ah, I found the article I was originally thinking about.

Mugabe buys more Chinese jets

However, at least six Chinese companies have abandoned large government projects in Zimbabwe this year because they have not been paid.

Perhaps China should be a little more careful when dealing with Mr Mugabe in the future.

Originally Posted by isthvan

It seams that K-8 is slowly becoming one of more successful Chinese military exports. IMHO jet trainers are perfect solution for African air forces operational requirements.

They have much lower operational costs compared to more capable military jets (one flight hour for K-8 cost much less then flight hour of modern fighter), they are easier to maintain and they have more then enough punch for missions they will conduct in most of African air forces(CAS and/ore COIN against lightly armed guerillas).

add to that, their easy/affordable spare parts, simplicity in maintainance and uncomplicated nature and u have a great combination especially for air-arms often suffering from financial insecurities or sanctions.
Though Mugabe has proven to be quite volatile, business ventures in such volatile areas tend to often offer the biggest returns which is why many continue to work with Zimbabwe despite the many problems.