With internal threats from Daesh-linked militants, the light attack aircraft is a sought after weapon for a growing number of Asia Pacific countries. The latest generation of counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft are specialised variants of basic or advanced training aircraft designed for close air support (CAS) and armed reconnaissance missions in low-intensity operations. In 2010 the United States Air Force (USAF) issued a Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft requirement for the then Afghanistan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) to be fielded by 2013. The programme called for fixed-wing single-engine turboprop platform, with a number of critical requirements that the winning aircraft had to fulfil including a rough-field capability without ground support, dual controls, ejection seats, specific air-to-ground weapons and systems, as well as a defensive-aids system.
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