Chinese Air Force's cadets start training on JL-9 trainer and light attack aircraft.

The JL-9 training plane, adopting the comprehensive avionics system, is able to undertake flight training of both the second-generation fighters such as the J-7 and J-8 and the third-generation fighters such as the FC-1 (Thunder) and Su-27. "The utilization of the JL-9 is conducive to shorten the time used for training of a qualified pilot," the Chinese MoD said on its website.

The JL-9's key improvement over its predecessor, the JJ-7, is the redesigned forward fueslage, most notably the replacement of the old inlet cone into a solid nose radome and two lateral air intakes.

The JL-9 uses a tandem, one-piece canopy for the pilot and the instructor (whose seat is designed to be higher than the pilot's to assist their view). The cockpit houses three XPS-2 colour multi-function displays and an avionics suite consisting of Radar warning receiver, Electronic countermeasures, 1553B databus, Inertial navigation system/Global Positioning System and air data computer. The JL-9 can also be fitted with a starboard in-flight refuelling probe. The JL-9 retains the same two-section, double-delta wing without leading edge flaps configuration of the J-7E fighter.

The JL-9 is powered by a single Guizhou Liyang WP-13 afterburning turbojet (9,914 lb of dry thrust). It can reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.

The aircraft is armed with one Type 23-1 23mm single barrel cannon, which can fire munitions at a rate of 800 rounds per minute. The muzzle velocity is 690m per second and the weight of the gun is 39kg.

The aircraft boasts five hardpoints, four under the wings and one under the centreline fuselage section. It can carry up to 2,000kg of payload including short range and medium range air to air missiles, air to ground missiles, unguided bombs and rocket pods.