L-15 jet at Zhuhai – Sanzao, 12 November 2010. By: Xu Zheng. Source http://www.airliners.net/photo/AVIC-(China–/Hongdu-L-15-Falcon/1947515/L/
On February 23, the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its intention to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for the purchase of 12 L-15 Falcon supersonic advanced jet trainers.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the deal will allow the UAE to purchase 36 additional aircraft of the same type in the future.
Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council, said that the deal comes as part of the ongoing efforts to diversify and modernize capabilities of the Air Force and the Armed Forces units in general. Tawazun manages the procurements and contracts of the UAE Armed Forces.
“We have reached the final stage in our talks with the Chinese side. The final contract will be signed soon,” Al Hosani said, adding, the UAE Armed Forces are characteristic for diversification to acquire the best capabilities to meet its requirements and to achieve its strategic goals.
The L-15 was developed by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation to provide advance training and light combat capabilities. The jet has an operational range of 55 kilometers and a top speed of Mach 1.4.
The UAE usually purchases its defense needs from Western sources, mainly the US. However, last December, the UAE suspended a $23 billion deal to buy US-made F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 combat drones. Back then, an unnamed Emirati official told the Atlanta-based news network that Abu Dhabi’s frustration with Washington’s attempts to limit Chinese technology sales to the UAE was behind the decision.
By acquiring L-15 advanced jet trainers, the UAE may be preparing to purchase Chinese 5th Generation fighter jets, like the Shenyang FC-31 or the Chengdu J-20, to fill the gap left after the suspension of the F-35 deal.
These idiots along with Saudi don’t know how to do anything for themselves
So they are not US puppets right?
Maybe there’s a deeper meaning to this move?
China provides the means to defend and govern BUT comes with strings attached.
Like what the PRC is doing in Iran and KSA, it’s a strategic push to place itself on the throne as the regional policeman, unseating the West.
Secondary, is being peacemaker, bringing warring states under its umbrella.
The time tested formula for empire building…
China is rising. Russia and USA are fading away.
55km range doesn’t seem like a lot?
I agree must be missing a extra zero, like 550 km. Operation Range is not like Maximum Range.
But many basement dwellers say that UAE and Saudi Arabia are puppets of the US. This doesn’t make sense.
Yes indeed. But to fools.