L-15 Falcons for UAEAF

At this year's International Defence Exhibition and Conference IDEX (IDEX 23) exposition in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) signed a contract for fifteen Hongdu L-15 Falcon advanced jet training aircraft.

China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), announced the signing of the contract on 21 February 2023. The model of the L-15 on display at IDEX 23 is painted in UAE AF markings and has been equipped with the additional capability for aerial refueling.

Already back in February 2022, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence (MoD) outlined its intention to purchase twelve L-15 jet trainers, with the option for 36 additional aircraft.

If this order for Chinese military aircraft will represent an obstacle to the United Arab Emirates for future purchasing of US and European military hardware is not known at this moment.

Photo by AVIC