Chinese Trainer Aircraft (JL-8, JL-9, JL-10 (L-15), etc.)

If anyone is interested in an update on the Uruguayan new combat aircraft saga, here it is:

A new centre-left government (which had been in power before 2020) won and this probably won't change relations with China too much but could effect the announced Super Tucano purchase, which to my knowledge was not actually signed by the previous government.


So the new government is the coalition that had been leaning in favour of the L-15 and it's entirely possible it may consider it again particularly if China offer a good price/financing arrangement.

So this may not be over yet...

I've jst checked and found that GDP of Uruguay for 2023 is $77.24 billio USD. In contrast Fujian province's GDP in 2022 was $739.92 billion USD. It is undertstandable that why Uruguay chose Super Tucano even if they favoured L-15.

lcloo said:

I've jst checked and found that GDP of Uruguay for 2023 is $77.24 billio USD. In contrast Fujian province's GDP in 2022 was $739.92 billion USD. It is undertstandable that why Uruguay chose Super Tucano even if they favoured L-15.

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To be fair, Zambia also operates the L-15, but has a smaller economy than Uruguay at around less than half of Uruguay.

new basic trainer in China - AG100. Uses GFRP and CFRP extensively. Has achieved TC

tphuang said:

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new basic trainer in China - AG100. Uses GFRP and CFRP extensively. Has achieved TC

Click to expand...

Is it based on the sr-22, Cirrus aircraft is owned by AVIC ?

Yes to my own question a military adapted sr-10:

lcloo said:

I've jst checked and found that GDP of Uruguay for 2023 is $77.24 billio USD. In contrast Fujian province's GDP in 2022 was $739.92 billion USD. It is undertstandable that why Uruguay chose Super Tucano even if they favoured L-15.

Click to expand...

Military procurement is not popular in Uruguay where most people don't want to spend a lot given that the country is on good terms with both giant neighbours.

The Super Tucano purchase, which the new government appears to support, was made in an election year which is significant and there was not much political pushback on it.

From the Air Force point of view the problem remains of replacing the A-37's and thus preservation of jet aviation within the service.

The L-15 was announced as the Air Force choice for an A-37 replacement more than ten years ago and as I understand it, an offer was made of K-8 around that time as well.

I think some kind of deal with China on sale of K-8, L-15 or even JL-9 (assuming all three are still in production) would be the best opportunity to maintain the FAU as a jet force.

Is it fair to say that China is still eager to expand its aviation industry footprint in Latin America? If a good offer is made, with favourable financial arrangements and/or barter conditions, the new Uruguayan government might just be interested...maybe...

Fujian has 41.5 million people vs 3.5 million in all of Uruguay! Uruguay has the population of a Beijing neighborhood!

Uruguay is a middle income nation, it can afford combat aircraft, it's the political and public will that would hold it back