Then the article is wrong. Only rumor I heard is that Ethiopia might operate L-15.
Chinese Trainer Aircraft (JL-8, JL-9, JL-10 (L-15), etc.)
- Thread starter tphuang
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Then the article is wrong. Only rumor I heard is that Ethiopia might operate L-15.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
I did say there were some problems with the article and it appears you may be on to something. I think this article may have been the results of a bad mangled translation of this Arabic language article (with several other sites reposting similar versions):
The relevant part being translated by Google as:
It looks like somebody did a really bad translating THIS article since it's the subject matter (Sudanese interest in the J-10CE, tensions with Ethiopia etc.) but seems to have got all the details wrong.
Weird that they are sending FTC-2000 when they have MiG-29. Guess it is either a problem with maintenance or availability.
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Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
The Defense-Arabic article covers that a bit:
So it does look like a maintenance has prematurely grounded their small Fulcrum fleet, leaving the Sudanese Air Force with a performance gap where their most capable aircraft are somehow their FTC-2000s armed with 'PL-10' missiles. This is probably a typo and they combined the export SD-10 designation with the domestic PL-12 designation since the actual PL-10 has only one confirmed export customer, Pakistan.
This does still leave the confusing part about the FTC-2000G being exported to Sudan, because AFAIK they only operated the standard FTC-2000S and that does uses the JL-10GJ X-band PD radar which isn't compatible with the SD-10 or perhaps the Sudanese upgraded their Shanyings with new radar? So maybe this is all junk, but in the Arab news stream this story has been reported from several different news outlets?
No way that FTC-2000 could use PL-10, it comes with PL-8 if I am not mistaken. SD-10 has been exported to Myanmar and Nigeria in addition to Pakistan, but I don't think Sudan has it.
If the situation with Mig-29 is true then Sudan actually does have a need to import a proper fighter aircraft with BVR capabilities. But if J-10C does get exported it may upset regional balance quite significantly. Even the less potent J-10B has 4:0 against legacy Su-27sk in a 1 vs 4 match up during an aerial combat exercise.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
The basic FTC-2000 cannot use the PL-10 or the SD-10/PL-12 but the FTC-2000G is advertised as compatible with the SD-10A but then again Sudan isn't supposed to have either that model or that missile.
Sudan acquiring the J-10CE would certainly give them the edge in the region but its not like Sudan is also flush with cash, afterall their MiG-29 fleet dilapidated so it was interesting that the article makes no mention of the lower cost JF-17, especially with the still delicate political situation the country is in.
Lastly its worth mentioning that like you said in an earlier post, the Defense-Arabic article states that the Ethiopians are apparently considering adding the Hongdu L-15B to their fleet.
Belarus overhauled the MiG-29 aircraft that Myanmar had for quite cheap. They also upgraded some Bangladeshi ones for a low sum.
Sounds like bad investment by the Sudanese to me.
Even if you don't like Mikoyan's support for some reason there are alternatives.
Sounds like bad investment by the Sudanese to me.
Even if you don't like Mikoyan's support for some reason there are alternatives.
The Saudis are flush with cash though. Sudan soldiers are regularly used as mercenaries in the Houthis conflict. It is possible for the Saudis to bankroll them just as UAE bankrolled Ethiopian gov against the Tigray.
If Ethiopia goes for L-15B then it will 100% be bankrolled by UAE.
Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Yes the article also talks about the UAE possibly selling their older Mirage 2000-9s to Ethiopia after taking in their new Rafales. Either way the possibility in the near future where Sudanese FTC-2000Gs and Ethiopian L-15Bs might square off against each other in combat is certainly bizarre.
What's the status of the L-15 acquisition regarding Uruguay? Did they choose another plane?