In the 2021 Myanmar Civil War, the State Administration Council air force used FTC-2000G jets for bombing and airstrike missions over civilian-populated areas.
FTC-2000G light combat aircraft
- FTC-2000
- Shanying
The FTC-2000G is China's export light combat aircraft derived from the JL-9 trainer. China Daily reported its first export order in 2020, and Myanmar later commissioned the type in 2022 and used it for strike operations in the civil war.
Role in Conflicts
Myanmar Deal Snapshot
The Myanmar record is unusually concrete for a recent export fighter: reporting ties the aircraft to a named unit price, a reported 12-aircraft package, and a December 2022 commissioning ceremony.
| Topic | Documented detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price | About US$8.5 million per aircraft | The Irrawaddy FTC-2000G delivery report |
| Deal value | Reported total value of US$231.6 million for the Myanmar package | #AIRBUSTED report |
| First delivery | Six aircraft arrived in November 2022 | The Irrawaddy FTC-2000G delivery report |
| Commissioning | Aircraft were commissioned into Myanmar Air Force service on 15 December 2022 | #AIRBUSTED report |
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- China
- Type
- Light combat aircraft
- Service note
- First flew in 2018; export deliveries began in 2022
- Designer
- Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation
- Designed
- Late 2010s
- Unit cost
- About US$8.5 million per aircraft
- Produced
- 2018-present
- Number built
- At least 12 delivered to Myanmar under the reported export deal
- Developed from
- JL-9 trainer aircraft
Specifications
- Crew
- 2
- Armament
- Seven hardpoints for missiles, rockets, bombs, guided bombs, and pods
- Payload
- Up to 3 tons of external stores
- Maximum speed
- About Mach 1.2
- Maximum takeoff weight
- About 11 tonnes
- Range
- About 2,400 km
Variants
- FTC-2000G
- JL-9
Training Fleet Context
China Daily said the FTC-2000G can work with AVIC's K-8 intermediate jet trainer to form an advanced training system for military pilots.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
![]() | Intermediate jet trainer | China Daily says the FTC-2000G can work with the K-8 to form an advanced training system for military pilots. Sources: China Daily FTC-2000G order report |
Timeline
FTC-2000G light combat aircraft Key Events
Maiden flight in China
China Daily reported that the FTC-2000G made its maiden flight in September 2018.
Sources: China Daily FTC-2000G order report
First export order signed
China Daily said Guizhou Aviation Industry signed its first FTC-2000G export contract with an unnamed Southeast Asian customer in January 2020.
Sources: China Daily FTC-2000G order report
Myanmar receives the first batch
The Irrawaddy reported that six FTC-2000G aircraft arrived in Myanmar in November 2022.
Sources: The Irrawaddy FTC-2000G delivery report
Commissioned into Myanmar service
Justice For Myanmar's #AIRBUSTED report says junta-controlled media showed FTC-2000G aircraft commissioned at a Myanmar Air Force ceremony on 15 December 2022.
Sources: #AIRBUSTED report
Shootdown reported in northern Shan State
#AIRBUSTED says resistance groups downed an FTC-2000G jet involved in an attack over the Namhpatkar area on 16 January 2024.
Sources: #AIRBUSTED report
VOA reports continued strike use
VOA reported that FTC-2000G aircraft were playing a key role in deadly airstrikes in Myanmar during 2024.
Sources: VOA Myanmar FTC-2000G airstrikes report
Media
FTC-2000G light combat aircraft Videos
FTC-2000G light combat aircraft Images
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