Re: JL-15 and other trainers
Well for JL15 the engine will always be a problem, for FC1 there is at least hope for WS13.
I think you have missed the latest news of L-15. AI-222K-25F afterburner engine from Ukarine is succcessfully assimilated by the Chinese and will be produced domestically under different name. But first 300 engines will be imported from Ukarine. This is the same case like Type052C destroyer which the DN80 gas-turbines has been successfully absorbed by Chinese which is the reason why you see a serie production of further 8 are being build now after an awefully 5 yrs delay.
L-15 is also badly delayed for 3 years which forces the PLAAF to deploy obsolete JL-9 trainer first. News is L-15 will enter service for PLAAF and foreign customer at end of the year. Production has just started.
L-15 trainer is definitely a better bet than FC-1, why? Its engine supplier is Ukarine who see no negative reason to sell more engines for Chinese. They don't have fighter jet to make and compete with China unlike Russia. Ukarine and China are more likely to co-operate than squabble unlike Russia and China relation.
L-15 trainer with an already twin seat mode will prove far far economical and better value than FC-1, it mayy lack abit of rawpower of FC-1 but its an all in one package of trainer/fighter. If requested, radar and datalink can be added and make it into a BVR platform or multi-role delivering PGM while still capable to dogfight.
That means for small airforce with limited budget, by buying L-15 as the only type of warplane. Since it can act as trainer , dogfighter and multi-role platform saving huge logistic costs, training cost while performing and fufilling almost all the requirement of a standard airforce spec.
I will say it is a brilliant idea by the Chinese to capture low cost fighter market for developed countries. Now you know the reason why FC-1 has so far secured none of foreign sales besides PAF and Chengdu is not interested to develop a twin seat version of FC-1...
