Appearing for the first time outside China, the L-15 Falcon has been demonstrated at Dubai to promote its capabilities as an advanced trainer.
Developed by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), based in Nanchang in Jiangxi province, the L-15 was first shown in full-scale mockup form at the 2004 Zhuhai airshow.
Hongdu developed the L-15 with some assistance from the Russian company Yakovlev, and the aircraft bears a superficial resemblance to the Yakovlev Yak-130 and Alenia Aermacchi’s M-346.
AIN Online reports the L-15 is seen as having great export potential, particularly when seen as part of a wider training package.
Hongdu also builds the K-8/JL-8 basic jet trainer and produces a range of ground training aids from full simulators to computer-based tools.
For export, the company is offering combinations of its products, from stand-alone equipment packages to those designed to take students from the beginning of their flying instruction right through to advanced weapons and tactical operations.