A DEAL was agreed between the UAE Ministry of Defense(MoD) and CATIC (China National Aero -Technology Import & Export Corporation) on February 23 for the purchase of 12 Hongdu L-15s, with options for another 36. The UAE Air Force and Air Defense (UAEAF&AD) becomes the second export customer for the L-15 (Chinese designation JL-10 Falcon) after Zambia acquired the type in 2016. Although the UAE MoD statement did not reveal their role, it is thought the initial 12 will replace the MB339A (NAT) aircraft of the UAEAF&AD Al Fursan aerobatic team. This would make sense, as there are plans to retire the Italian trainer by the end of 2022, which would give the pilots time to train on the L-15s for a performance at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. If exercised, the 36 optioned L-15s, suggests the UAEAF&AD is looking to fill the requirement for an advanced jet trainer role that has existed since the Hawk Mk 63s were retired in 2012. Initially, the Finmeccanica T-346 was selected in 2009 to replace them but was subsequently cancelled while the Pilatus PC-21 was purchased instead. More recently, the UAE has decided, along with Qatar, that it needs a lead-in combat trainer for the introduction to fighter fundamentals role.
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