Cambodia or Myanmar most likely first export market for Chinese FTC-2000G advanced jet trainer

The FTC-2000G advance jet trainer / light attack aircraft. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

Chinese media outlet Xinhua News Agency reported on 19 April 2020 that Guizhou Aviation Industries Corporation (GAIC) has received its first order for their FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle advanced jet trainer / light attack aircraft, which is the export designation of the JL-9 aircraft.

No specifics were provided on identifying the customer, but it was disclosed that it is a Southeast Asian country. No details were also provided regarding the quantity involved, or the contract amount. According to GAIC, the first batch expected to be delivered by 2021.

Military analysts believe that either Cambodia or Myanmar, both of which have close ties to China, may have ordered the aircraft. But there is a stronger leaning on it being Cambodia due to the Myanmar Air Force already operating the Russian Yakolov Yak-130 advanced jet trainer / light attack aircraft, which is in the same league as the FTC-2000G.

While the Royal Cambodian Air Force earlier announced of its plans to acquire additional Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross trainer aircraft from the Czech Republic to increase its fleet size, it is possible that they are also looking for a more advanced trainer with combat capability to which graduates from the L-39 Albatross could progress in.

The GAIC FTC-2000G was designed as a low-cost advanced jet trainer with light attack capability that was developed privately and more intended for the export market. It conducted its first flight in 2018.

The FTC-2000G is 15.4 meters long, has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4, a maximum range of 1,650 kilometers on internal fuel and an endurance of 2 hours, and an operational flight ceiling of 15 kilometers.

It is equipped by a radar and fire control system, and can fit external fuel tanks and munitions on its 7 external hardopoints allowing the aircraft to have a maximum payload of 3,000 kilograms.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Military Watch Magazine