JL-9 jet rolls off assembly line for foreign trade

China's famous JL-9 "Shanying" fighter-trainer jet saw its first model for foreign trade roll off the assembly line in Guizhou province on June 5.

Now coded as FTC-2000, the jet has a maximum weapon load of 2 tons. It features five attaching points, which can be used for either missile loads or auxiliary tanks. It uses a hands-on throttle-and-stick operating system.

The original model, JL-9, is a two-seat fighter-trainer jet developed by Guizhou Aviation Aircraft Co. Ltd. (GAC) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). It took its maiden flight in 2003, and has been serving in its original and advanced formats since then. It is capable of advanced fighter-jet training and can also conduct air-to-ground combat at a lower level.

The foreign trade version boasts some third-generation design features and has been adapted for mainly air-to-ground attack missions, with some capability in air-to-air combat.

In January, GAC signed the first export deal for the FTC-2000, Beijing Youth Daily reported.