Paul Lewis/PARIS
The Egyptian air force is planning a complete overhaul of its flight training fleet, starting with the purchase of 95 new basic trainers to be followed by a replacement for its Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet advanced jet trainer.
An industry-wide request for proposals (RFP) for the basic trainer has drawn responses from Aermacchi, offering the S.211, and China National Aero Technology Import and Export (CATIC), proposing the Nanchang K-8. The aircraft would replace around 90 of Egypt's ageing Aero Vodochody L-29s and L-39s .
As part of the deal, Egypt wants to licence-produce the selected trainer in Egypt. CATIC is understood to have basically agreed, providing it continues to supply subsystems from China. The state sales organisation is keen to secure an international launch order for the K-8 and has been marketing the tandem-seat jet in Africa.
Domestic production of the aircraft stalled after only 15 were built. Pakistan, which has a 25% stake in the programme, has taken delivery of six, but refuses to order more until the Chinese air force makes a similar commitment to the K-8. China in turn says it will only buy the jet after it has been re-engined with the Progress AI-25. Egypt is being offered the original AlliedSignal TFE721-powered version of the aircraft.
Egypt has also embarked on an information-gathering exercise to find an advanced trainer/light combat aircraft, but has not released an RFP. Aircraft under scrutiny include the British Aerospace Hawk and Aero Vodochody L-139. Meanwhile, Egypt is talking to DaimlerChrysler Aerospace about an avionics upgrade of its 30 McDonnell Douglas F-4Es.
Source: Flight International
