There is a rumour Maroc will buy 20-40 K8. Build in Egypt.
The Morocco story has been listed in publications for a long time. Jane’s has Morocco listed as a customer for years but there was never any confirmation.
But there had been stories of Morocco receiving planes from Egypt instead of China. And it would make sense since Egypt will be nearing the end of its contracted production run of 80 K8Es.
I doubt that the lines in Egypt will be closed so they’ll be used for export to third nations like Morocco.
Of IRIAF will buy in 2008 then they need more assembly lines… I don’t think one in pakistan and one in China are going to be enough. (150-150-40-…) all from 2008…
The pecking order of who gets the FC-1 will most likely be PAF first, then exports, and finally PLAAF. China would need to time to integrate the J-10 and J-11. So after the initial 8 production planes, all subsequent available airframes will go to export before the PLAAF.
Also, there is the possibilities of more production lines than just the ones in Pakistan and China.
Judging from the K8E program and reported interest of Egypt concerning the FC-1, Egypt might attempt to get a line. In fact, it is probably impossible to sell the FC-1 to Egypt, which has access to US jets, without some kind of tech transfer.
At any rate, there are a lot of good signs involving the FC-1 already. it will do no worse than the K-8 at the very least but probably significantly better because unlike the K-8, the PAF is committed to a large order from the very beginning.
Sign In
