Egypt has ordered 80 Nanchang Aircraft/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex K-8 Karakorum trainers from China to replace Aero L-29 Delfins.
Completion of the basic jet trainer search has initiated action in the follow-on competition for advanced trainers with a light strike capability to replace Aero L-59Es and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets. Egypt's trainer needs have been driven by the delivery of large numbers of Lockheed Martin F-16s with advanced cockpits.
Egypt launched its search for basic jet trainers last year and evaluated the Aermacchi S211 as well.
China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation managing director-export division Ying Yang says deliveries start this year.
Ying adds that Egypt's air force will use Honeywell TFE731 engines, which power the Pakistan air force's six aircraft, rather than Progress AI-25s used by the Chinese air force. Myanmar also operates the K-8.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian air force's advanced trainer competition has moved forward, with BAE Systems submitting an outline proposal based on the Hawk last December, says Andy Wilson, BAE head of Hawk marketing.
Source: Flight International
