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| Replace F-7 And A-5, Myanmar Buy FTC-2000G Fighter From China |
Naypyidaw - Myanmar is reported to have purchased FTC-2000G fighter jets from China. This new aircraft will replace the role of the old F-7 and A-5 aircraft which are also made in China. The Irrawaddy news portal wrote that earlier in June, approximately eight pilots, eight technicians and two weapons officers for the Myanmar Air Force had traveled to China to receive training in the Bamboo Curtain country.
China has strict COVID-19 regulations and Myanmar personnel must undergo quarantine in Kunming. The pilot is known to have flown the F-7 interceptor aircraft, A-5 attack aircraft, and K-8 trainer jets. It is not yet known exactly when an agreement was reached between Beijing and Naypyitaw regarding the purchase of the FTC-2000G.
China's purchase of fighter jets is thought to have started in 2020, but the delivery and training of pilots has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and China's strict policies in dealing with the pandemic.
The FTC-2000G is an advanced light multirole trainer/combat aircraft designed and manufactured by Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC) under the supervision of the state-owned aerospace and defense enterprise Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). It is an export variant of the Guizhou JL-9 operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The tandem-seat fighter jet has training capabilities with attack and combat fighting capabilities, the company said. The aircraft can be used to conduct pilot flight training, air surveillance, patrol missions, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, close air support and air escort missions.