China-made Aircraft Fly in U.S. Airshow for First Time

Chinese-built L-15E advanced trainer jets made their first international appearance at a major US airshow as part of the UAE's national aerobatic display team.

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced on its official X account on Tuesday the successful conclusion of the Fursan Al Emarat's US journey, saying the team delivered stunning aerial displays.

A video accompanying the post featured the Chinese-built L-15E performing a series of impressive maneuvers, showcasing the aircraft's outstanding capabilities, as well as footage of the aircraft being refueled mid-air.

In 2025, the UAE aerobatics team adopting the state-of-the-art Chinese-built L-15E - a fourth-generation fly-by-wire fighter trainer jet.

Before the start of the airshow event, on June 26, the FourLeaf Air Show on its Facebook page also asked the audience to not "miss the team's first international deployment with their new L-15E aircraft and their first-ever participation in a US air show" when introducing the UAE's aerobatic display team.”

In addition to the full-fly-by-wire digital control system, the aircraft features a combined maximum thrust of 4,200 kilogram-force per engine, a maximum service ceiling of 16,000 meters (over 52,000 feet), and a wingspan of 9.4 meters that is engineered for high-alpha maneuvers.

UAE's ordered a dozen L-15E aircraft, first announced by the UAE Ministry of Defense in February 2022.