AVIC has published photos of Zambian Air Force pilots and maintenance crew completing their conversion to the Hongdu L-15 supersonic training and light attack aircraft.

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) is allegedly to have signed a deal for six L-15 Falcon jet trainers made by Hongdu Aviation Industry of China.

These come hot after the delivery of 16 K-8 Karakorum jet trainers and seven Z-9 light attack helicopter both made in China.

The L-15 is an advanced trainer aircraft currently under development by Nanchang based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. The aircraft made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. The aircraft’s general designer is Mr. Zhang Hong, and the development is reportedly assisted by Yakovlev OKB of Russia.

The L-15 is a direct rival to the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle in competition for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) next-generation advanced trainer aircraft program.