Regional aerospace companies took the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Singapore Airshow, which has become the largest event of its kind in Southeast Asia since the Covid-19 pandemic, to promote its single-engine light combat and utility aircraft Focus on regional opportunities.
Aviation Industry Corporation of China
To the surprise of many, state-owned aerospace and defense giant Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) made its first “full” appearance outside the mainland, which is especially notable given the strict lockdown protocols still in place at home.
AVIC’s sizable pavilion displayed a variety of military aircraft models, including the export-oriented Chengdu/Pakistan Aviation Complex JF-17 single-seat and JF-17B two-seat fighter jets, Hongdu L-15 advanced trainer, Changhe Z-10 attack and Z-19E reconnaissance helicopter. The company also highlighted its key Wing Loong series of armed reconnaissance drones.
An AVIC representative told AMR that the company’s broad portfolio of fighter jets, from trainers to advanced multi-role fighter jets, will allow the company to meet any regional training and air defense requirements. In particular, the representative noted that the latest Block 3 variant, the JF-17, is equipped with a homegrown advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar as well as “advanced” electronic countermeasures systems, avionics and over-the-horizon missiles.
The representative could not disclose details of any ongoing regional programs, but said AVIC was “actively working with the Air Force and like-minded industry partners to meet any possible demand.”
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the first time in Singapore to support India’s efforts to position the aircraft for existing and emerging regional needs.
The service dispatched three Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built aircraft to the airshow, one of which was on static display accompanied by industry and government officials.
The mission asserted to AMR that the Tejas is a proven aircraft with a wide range of capabilities that allow it to perform well in the hot and humid conditions of Southeast Asia.
Based on the specifications provided, the Tejas LCA has a combat weight of 13,330kg and a length and wingspan of 13.4m and 8.2m respectively. The aircraft is powered by General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engines, enabling it to operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
Tejas LCA will be used in the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Guided Training Aircraft (LCA/FLIT) programme announced in June 2021, which requires a total of 18 new build aircraft to replace the Aermacchi MB-339CM jets in service The trainer fleet has been grounded, along with the BAE Systems Hawk Mk 108 two-seat and Mk 208 single-seat light attack aircraft. This effort is one of the key initiatives being pursued under the country’s 2055 Capacity Development Plan.
Korea Aerospace Industry
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) also took the opportunity to showcase its latest line of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft at the air show.
In addition to the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter jet under development, the company is also marketing its T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer. The latter is already in service with the Indonesian, Iraqi, Philippine and South Korean Air Forces and is also a contender for Malaysia’s LCA/FLIT program.
KAI claims the aircraft can be easily reconfigured into light fighter and lead trainer mission roles with minimal downtime and relatively low operating costs compared to other aircraft in its class.
Like AVIC, KAI has proposed partnerships with local industry players to support technology transfer, a move clearly aimed at winning over policymakers.
by Xiao Wu
