CHINA-PLA: PLAAF TO ACQUIRE 400 AIRCRAFT FROM UKRAINE

A US Defence Blog disclosed that China is to buy 400 aircraft from Ukraine to build hundreds of new military aircraft. It stated (January 17) that, Ukraine's Madasi company was awarded a $800 million contract to support the production of China's JL-10 trainer aircraft. According to multiple media reports, Ukrainian jet engine manufacturer Madsic has agreed to sign a $800 million contract with China's People’s Liberation Army for the production of turbofan AI-322 engines. National Defense Express first reported the news. The newspaper quoted a source in the defense industry as saying that China is buying a batch of 400 AI-322 engines for the JL-10 combat/trainer aircraft and its export-type L-15. JL-10 is a new type of supersonic jet trainer/light fighter developed by China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). On July 1, 2013, the first batch of JL-10s began to be delivered to the Chinese Air Force. The Chinese Air Force and Naval Aviation are very satisfied with the aircraft. The aircraft has comprehensive performance, high reliability, high cost performance, great potential for improvement in versatility, good maintainability, and a service life of more than 10,000 flight hours. This trainer is equipped with two AI-322 engines made in Ukraine. According to Madsic’s website, the engine can ensure maximum safety in flight and improve combat effectiveness, with a long service life and low operating costs. According to the contract price exposed by the media, the price of the AI-322 engine is approximately US$2 million per unit. This price can be said to be quite cost-effective. The AI-322 turbofan engine does not have an afterburner, and its static maximum thrust is approximately 2.5 tons, and its maximum thrust at an altitude of 5,000 meters is approximately 1.45 tons. Two AI-322 engines are sufficient to propel the JL-10 with a maximum take-off weight of less than 9.8 tons. JL-10 has been able to keep pace with Italy's M-346 and Russia's Yak-130. Analysis believes that 400 AI-322s are enough to produce 200 JL-10s, and even with the reserved spare engines, it is enough to produce more than 100 JL-10s. This means that JL-10 has already received a large number of orders from the PLA. Exports also have good prospects in the future.







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