A Chinese L-15 is taking part in the Dubai Airshow flying display.
DUBAI—The UAE Defense Ministry has confirmed it has closed a contract with China’s National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to purchase a fleet of L-15 advanced jet trainers.
The Tawazun Council - a UAE defense acqusition organisation - described the AED1.62 billion ($440 million) deal with CATIC as a contract for “airshow aircraft” and includes technical support, appearing to confirm that the L-15s will likely become the mount of the country’s Fursan Al Emarat aerobatic team, potentially replacing its Leonardo/Aermacchi MB-339s.
No details have been released regarding delivery dates or the number of aircraft, but the number is assumed to be 12.
The ministry announced in February 2022 that it was planning to acquire an initial 12 L-15 aircraft, with options for a further 36.
The contract was one of nine announced by the ministry as part of its traditional daily contract announcement during the Dubai Airshow, which also included contracts for aircraft technical support, radar equipment and ammunition, as well as support for the country’s Homing All the Way Killer (Hawk) ground-based air defense batteries.
Day one of the air show saw the UAE announce contracts totaling AED4.7 billion. Of that sum, AED2.7 billion went to local firms and the remaining AED2 billion to international firms.
Two L-15s are participating in this year’s Dubai Airshow. One is on the show’s static display while the other is taking part in the flying display.
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