FTC-2000G chinos para Myanmar

Myanmar compra aviones de combate FTC-2000G de China

Avión de entrenamiento y ataque ligero FTC-2000G fabricado en China (foto: FlightGlobal)

La Fuerza Aérea de Myanmar ordenó varios aviones de combate de rango medio FTC-2000G de China, un importante proveedor de armas para la nación del sudeste asiático.

El monitoreo de Irrawaddy ha sabido que un grupo de unos ocho pilotos de la Fuerza Aérea, ocho técnicos y al menos dos oficiales de armas viajaron a China vía Kunming en junio.

China tiene regulaciones estrictas de Covid-19 y el personal de Myanmar debe someterse a cuarentena en Kunming. Se sabe que el piloto voló un interceptor F-7, un bombardero A-5 y un entrenador y un avión de ataque ligero K-8W para la Fuerza Aérea de Myanmar.

Aún no se sabe cuándo se llegó a un acuerdo entre Beijing y Naypyitaw. Es posible que las compras chinas de aviones de combate hayan comenzado en 2020, pero las entregas y la capacitación de pilotos se han retrasado debido a la pandemia de Covid-19 y las estrictas políticas de China para contener la enfermedad.

El FTC-2000G es un avanzado avión de combate/entrenador ligero multifunción diseñado y fabricado por Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC) bajo la supervisión de la empresa estatal aeroespacial y de defensa Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Es una variante de exportación del avión de entrenamiento/caza Guizhou JL-9, que está en servicio con la Fuerza Aérea del Ejército Popular de Liberación (PLAAF) y la Armada del Ejército Popular de Liberación (PLAN).

Este avión de combate de dos asientos tiene capacidades de entrenamiento con la capacidad de atacar y luchar en combate.

La aeronave se puede utilizar para realizar entrenamiento de vuelo de pilotos, vigilancia aérea, misiones de patrulla, reconocimiento, guerra electrónica, apoyo aéreo cercano y misiones de escolta aérea.

En abril de 2020, surgieron noticias en Camboya y el Global Times de China de que China planeaba vender el avión a un país del sudeste asiático no revelado. No dijo cuántas unidades se venderían, solo indicó que se había firmado un acuerdo en enero de 2020 y que las entregas comenzarían a principios de 2021 y se completarían después de dos años.

El precio del avión de combate ronda los US$ 8,5 millones.

El informe identifica a Camboya y Myanmar como compradores potenciales, ya que ambos países están estrechamente vinculados a China, tanto militar como políticamente.

 

India ofrece el LCA biplaza como LIFT para Australia

After S Navy, LCA Trainer Variant Offered to Australia: HAL

Tejas two-seater variant (photo : DebRan)


HAL is continuing to pursue other avenues to sell the Tejas. At the end of August, HAL released its annual report for 2020-21.

In the section dealing with 'exports', HAL mentions that it had offered the LCA in a "lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) configuration" to the Australian Department of Defence in July 2020.

The section also mentions the trainer variant of the Naval LCA was offered to the US Navy in July 2020.

In December last year, it was reported that HAL had responded to the US Navy's request for information for a new trainer to replace its fleet of Boeing T-45 Goshawks. The T-45 is a variant of the British Hawk trainer that was developed specifically for operating off aircraft carriers. LIFT is a niche category of trainer aircraft, which has more advanced electronics and greater manoeuvrability than offered by older advanced jet trainers. LIFT trainers can also offer training in air-to-air, missile defence and strike missions.

LIFT aircraft offer more realistic performance for trainee pilots who will graduate on to complicated multi-role fighters like the Rafale or F-35.

In December last year, Madhavan told The Economic Times HAL had done considerable work on the LCA LIFT version. "The same platform can be used to mimic any other platform. All that needs to be done is put in the flying characteristics, and things will change to the selected aircraft. For example, if… Rafale characteristics, to the pilot it will seem like he is flying Rafale, which will help in the advanced training process," Madhavan then told The Economic Times.

Australian requirement

The Royal Australian Air Force currently operates a fleet of around 30 'Hawk MK-127' LIFT aircraft. The Hawk MK-127 is a variant of the Hawk trainer equipped with more advanced electronics to make it suitable for the LIFT role. The RAAF began inducting the Hawk MK-127 in 2001.

In August last year, the RAAF issued a request for information from companies to supply a new aircraft to replace the Hawk MK-127.

Boeing confirmed it had offered its T-7A Red Hawk trainer for the RAAF. The T-7A Red Hawk, developed with Sweden's Saab, is widely considered the newest trainer aircraft in development. The US Air Force will acquire around 350 T-7A jets. Italian company Leonardo also confirmed it was offering its M-346 trainer for the Australian requirement, while Korea Aerospace Industries was expected to pitch its T-50 trainer, which was co-developed with assistance from Lockheed Martin.

The T-50 and M-346 can fulfil the roles of both jet trainer and LIFT given their more advanced designs and electronics.

Interestingly, T-7A, T-50 and LCA Tejas all share a common engine: The F404 built by GE.


See full article The Week

Camboya recibirá su primer FTC-2000G este año

Cambodia will Receive the First FTC-2000G from China in 2021

FTC-2000G Light Combat Aircraft (photo : AVIC)


This year, an ASEAN nation will receive the first FTC-2000G supplied from China. According to the news report, the deliveries will be completed within two years, or 2021-2023, no specific number of aircrafts. But there is a current news that it is likely to supply 6 aircrafts.

It is highly likely that it means Cambodia. It was previously revealed that the pilot was sent to train in China. Starting to study as a student of aviation and lately, China has been a big arms supporter of Cambodia.

We do not yet know the details of the equipment to be installed on this Cambodian aircraft. But overall, the FTC-2000G can be equipped with an AESA radar like the LKF-601E and can be used in conjunction with the PL-12 medium-range air-to-air (SD-10) rocket carrying 2-4 rounds or, however, if not be necessary cheaper version radar can be chosen, either the MSA or PESA, which is the same model installed in the L-15B trainer.



Specification of the radar LKF-601E (photo : QQ)

The fear of the FTC-2000G lies in a wide variety of air-to-ground weapons, such as the CM-102 anti-radar rocket for use in destroying ground-to-air missile bases, as well as the US AGM-88 HARM. The C-704KD, an infrared-guided missile with a range of about 30 km, is capable of destroying armored vehicles or structures. This includes the C-705KD surface anti-ship missile with a range of more than 100 km and several FT family of missile/glide bombs.


The FTC-2000G is a light fighter (LCA) comparable to FA-50PH (Philippines), T-50TH (Thailand), F-5TH (Thailand), T-50i (Indonesia), Yak-130 (Myanmar and Laos), or the Hawk 200 (Malaysia and Indonesia). In ASEAN countries together, the FTC-2000G is one of the top performers in ASEAN when considering the radar system with the highest performance radar option of all light fighter jets if selected LKF-601E radar set, offers a wide variety of weapons and inexpensive but has a weakness in electronic warfare.

Camboya sería el primer cliente del FTC-2000G

Speculations Centre on Cambodia as First Customer of Chinese Jet

Twin-seat FTC-2000G light attack aircraft (photo : FlightGlobal)

Speculation is swirling around the global aviation industry that points to Cambodia as the first buyer of the Chinese-made FTC-2000G multi-role aircraft.

This week, Global Times, an English language daily newspaper in China, reported that the aircraft, which is manufactured by the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corp (GAIC), is selling the aircraft to a yet unnamed Southeast Asian country.

The report did not divulge the cost or the number of units sold. It only mentioned that the deal was signed in January of this year and that deliveries will start in early 2021 and completed after two years.

Recent Myanmar Air Force (MAF) acquisitions and orders discount the possibility that Myanmar is the buyer. Other countries in the region including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore are engaged in territorial disputes or have frayed relations with the Asian giant, thus making them unlikely buyers of Chinese hardware at this time.

This leaves Cambodia as the “most likely” buyer of the Chinese aircraft.

In October last year, the Prime Minister said that Cambodia will purchase four more L-39s from the Czech Republic.

Defence experts said it would be logical for Cambodia to choose China as an aircraft supplier.

Chinese military hardware, it was noted, is far cheaper than comparable Western-made equipment. The possibility that they can be obtained at a bargain price or with Chinese loans make them all the more attractive to emerging economy buyers, including Cambodia. Unlike the United States or other Western countries, China also sells weapons abroad with little to no strings attached.

An upgraded version of the Guizhou JL-9 advanced jet trainer, the twin-seat FTC-2000G flew for the first time in September 2018. The aircraft can be used for light attack duties or for training pilots. With seven external hardpoints, the aircraft can carry bombs, gun pods, rockets and short- to medium-range air-to-air missiles such as the SD-10.

It has a maximum speed of 1.2 Mach and comes equipped with a modern radar, fire control systems and navigational equipment. The Chinese have trumpeted it as “one of the cheapest” on the market.

See full article Khmer Times

Lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) para la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa

Thailand to Launch Lead-In Fighter Programme After New Government Forms



One of candidate to replace its fleet of L-39 Albatross is KAI T-50 aircraft

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) expects to launch a USD400 million programme to acquire lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft following the formation of a new Thai government, RTAF spokesman Group Captain Prapas Sonjaidee told IHS Jane's on 22 January 2014.

The aircraft acquired through the LIFT programme will replace a handful of ageing Northrop F-5 trainers in service with the RTAF and eventually its fleet of Aero L-39 Albatros trainer/light attack aircraft procured in the early 1990s. The procurement programme has become pressing since the RTAF started operating a fleet of 12 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, which were delivered from 2011-2013.

Jane's