As SpudmanWP mentioned, I was referring to written material ad brochures from KAI about integrating BVR weapons (in particular, the Derby missile) to the FA-50, I assume that they had integrated it by now but it looks like they’re waiting for the customer to opt for augmenting the FA-50 rather than the other way around. I think it’s a bit foolhardy to enter a fighter tender competition in 2017 against the F-16 and Gripen without beyond visual range capabilities “out of box”? Perhaps this is Lockheed’s way of keeping their “side project” on a leash, so it wouldn’t interfere with F-16 sales? Finalizing Derby or AMRAAM capabilities would certainly HELP the FA-50s chances, but as ananda pointed out, it’s being used as a way to keep costs down to $30 million per aircraft. It’s really a trade off, making the aircraft more capable but increasing costs would scare off budget conscious customers, but keeping the FA-50 a solely WVR fighter may hurt it’s sales potential to air forces looking for a more capable as well.

In Croatia’s case, while they are obviously “Budget conscious”, they must also balance out national defence needs vis a vis their regional rival, Serbia, who are rebuilding their own air force.

Oh right, I forgot the model from Zhuhai last year, t hose are definitely PL-12s on there!

China successfully tests solid-fuel missile engine, state media says

Here’s some interesting news on long range air-to-air missiles.

Philippines Likely To Buy 12 More FA-50s

There was a 1:5 model of an improved variant of the L-15 at this years Zhuhai air show called the L-15B which was described as a multi function attacker fighter trainer with . The model appears to be equipped with 360° MAWS, engine with afterburner, PESA radar, ARINC 429 Bus and 11 hardpoints. The model also appears to be armed with PL-12 missiles.

http://i.imgur.com/dZ2A4D5.jpg

The model of L-15 ordered by Zambia is the L-15Z, which have a PESA combat radar and have seem to have been transferred to a combat unit (15 Squadron). We don’t know what sort of FTC-2000 is being ordered by Sudan, but given that they already operate aircraft like the Fulcrum, Fencer, F-7M, putting a small order of just 6 JL-9s in a combat role would be a bit unusual. There are proposed variants with a variety of combat radar though and there is a possibility they could be used to retire some of Sudan’s more antiquated aircraft.

Is the L-15’s radome really any smaller than the J-7’s? The radar was likely developed from that line of technology.

The J-7 shock cone is VERY small, smaller than the MiG-21s. Guizhou have had more experience with the J-7 airframe with their JJ-7 and JL-9 aircraft. Perhaps its related to the Q-5 somehow? Anyway it’s a unique radar, which itself is odd since the PLAAF is moving towards a more uniform mass upgrade of capabilities rather than piecemeal upgrades. It was probably developed for export only. Which really brings me to another point, did the L-15Z/L-15AFT sale UNDERMINE a potential JF-17/FC-1 sale? Is the
$100 million sale ($16.6 million each with equipment, weapons, radar and crew training package) of the more combat oriented L-15AFT a future threat to sales of the JF-17 in 3rd world markets?

I’m curious about the radar and its capabilities because the L-15AFT variant is such a small radome. 110km isn’t very powerful, but a very small, modular PESA radar for export as an upgrade package might be inciting for some 3rd world customers. TBH I never expected the L-15 to become an active combat platform. If it was compatible with PL-12 or the simplified SD-10A export variant it could be interested, even if Passive ESA development is a dead end.