China offers Two-seat Fighter Trainer FC-1B for International Sales

China has offered its two-seat fighter-trainer FC-1B for international sales by showing its model at the Paris Air Show last week.

It is not known at what stage of development the FC-1B is. The aircraft is based on the FC-1, whose export version, the JF-17 Thunder, is doing duty in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

“The FC-1B advanced trainer is a sophisticated type that has won universal praise in the international arena. Equipped with multi-functions, this type of fighter trainer is scarce in the international market and has bright market prospects,” said military expert Li Li, during an interview with China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

The fighter trainer has all-weather combat capability, equivalent to that of the JF-17 Thunder. It can use air-to-air missiles in beyond visual range conditions and short-range air-to-air missiles in air combat. It can be equipped with air-to-ground missiles, air-to-ship missiles, precision-guided bombs, and conventional bombs to conduct airstrikes to the ground and sea. The trainer can also be used for basic pilot training as well as tactical flight training.