UAE to buy Chinese L-15 Falcon light combat aircraft.

According to information published by Al Jazeera on February 23, 2022, the United Arab Emirates has said it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L-15 Falcon light combat aircraft.

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L-15 Falcon light combat aircraft (Picture source: Xu Zheng)

The Hongdu JL-10 also known as the L-15 Falcon is a supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft being developed by Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC) to meet the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) requirements, as well as next-generation training and light combat needs for foreign customers.

The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is enhanced by its large leading edge extensions (LEX) design, which gives a maximum angle of attack of 30°.

Each of the first two units (#01 & #02) are powered by two Ivchenko-Progress DV-2 engines, which do not have afterburners, and these two aircraft thus do not have the capability to reach supersonic speed.

The third unit (#03) is powered by a pair of an improved version of the DV-2, the DV-2F, that has afterburners so that it can attain supersonic speed.