The Sudanese Air Force has signed a contract with Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) to acquire the Chinese manufacturer’s FTC-2000 trainer aircraft. No contract value was disclosed.

According to East Pendulum, Sudan has ordered six FTC-2000 trainer aircraft from China. In addition, Nigeria has also will seek to purchase new Chinese training aircraft.

The FTC-2000 is an export version of JianLian-9 (JL-9) advance trainer or light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) of China. The JL-9 was designed for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) and FTC-2000 for export.

The aircraft has five hard points, of which three can carry fuel tanks, and a 23mm cannon. The FTC-2000 is powered by a Guizhou Liyang WP-13 turbojet equipped with an afterburner.