FT-7P Mongol
FT-7P is the export version of JJ-7 (Mig-21US) advanced trainer developed by GAIC in 1990. It was modified specifically for PAF (HUD, air data computer, BM/KJ
8602 RWR, twin 23mm cannon and longer range) in association with the single seat F-7P fighters produced by CAC. The newest variant has the fuselage stretched by 600mm to create space for additional fuel tank and an internal gun. The maximum take-off weight has been increased to 9,550kg and internal fuel capacity to 2,800l.
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K-8 Karakorum
A line-up of 6 K-8 intermediate jet
trainer/ground attack aircrafts (2nd batch) were seen prior to delivery at NAMC (now part of Hongdu Aviation Industrial Group). The first batch of 8 (with Collins EFTS-86 MFD and Allied Signal TFE-731-2A turbofan) were delivered to PAF in 1995 and these second batch K-8s are optimized for air defence role with PL-7 AAMs underwing and a gun pod (23mm?) under the fuselage. Besides Pakistan, Myanmar has also expressed interest of getting 7. However it is until recently (mid-1998) that PLAAF finally took delivery of 8 K-8s, ending the years of uncertainty surrounding this project. These domestic K-8As are powered by either WS-11, developed by Zhuzhou Power Machinery factory, or Progress AI-25TL, which were purchased from Ukraine in March 1997.
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Il-76MD Candid
In an effort to modernize its small and aging
transport fleet (mainly Y-7/An-26 and Y-8/An-12), PLAAF (or CAAC) bought at least 7 Il-76MD transport aircraft (max load 40t, normal range 5,000km) from Russia in 1992. Although they appear to belong to China United Airline (B-4030 through 4037), a "civilian" airline operated by PLAAF, these Il-76MDs are believed to be closely associated with army's airborne divisions, which could be viewed as a small boost to PLA's fast-reacting capability. This was demonstrated during the military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in 1996. It has been reported that PLAAF is getting 15 more from Uzbekistan.
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