Pakistan Reportedly Negotiating for L-15 Trainers from China Plus

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is reportedly speaking to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) for the procurement of Hongdu L-15 lead-in-fighter-trainers (LIFT). The reports emerged from the 2023 Dubai Air Show, where AVIC officials indicated that the PAF was now seeking the L-15.

PAF interest in the L-15 is not new or recent. In fact, the PAF publicly revealed that it was seeking a LIFT in 2017, following a period of testing numerous options, such as the Leonardo M-346, Aero L-159, and the Hongdu L-15, among others. In late 2018, the PAF revealed that it wanted an aircraft with an afterburning engine, multi-mode radar, and tactical data-link (TDL) system.