The K-8 has a
multi-role capability for training and, with little modification,
can also be used for airfield defence. The aircraft is supposed to be as
cost-effective as possible, with a
short turn-around time and
low maintenance requirements. K-8 have different avionics configuration.
Serivce Life.
K-8 airframe structure is designed for an
8,000 flight hour service life.
Cockpit
The cockpit arrangement is designed to be as close to that of a combat aircraft as possible.
This emergency cockpit escape system is made up of two Martin-Baker MK-10L rocket-assisted ejection seats which are zero-zero capable, meaning they can be used safely at zero altitude and zero speed.
Powerplant (Varaints)
1)Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25TLK turbofan jet engine
2)Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan is used.
3) WS-11 (Future)
Arms
Guns: 1× 23 mm external cannon pod
Hardpoints: 5 (total capacity 1000 kg):
1× under-fuselage (23 mm cannon pod mount)
4× under-wing, capacity 250 kg each
Rockets: 57 mm unguided rocket pods, capacity 12 rounds
Missiles: Short range infra-red homing air-to-air missiles
Bombs:
Drop Tanks:
Current Users
Egypt
Egyptian Air Force - 120 (80 assembled plus 40 to be manufactured in Egypt)
Ghana
Ghana Air Force - 4 [3]
Myanmar
Myanmar Armed Forces - 12
Namibia
Namibian Air Force - 12
Pakistan
Pakistan Air Force - ~40
People's Republic of China
PLA Air Force - ~300
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Air Force - 6 [4]
Sudan
Sudanese Air Force - 12
Tanzania
Tanzanian Air Force - 6
Venezuela
Venezuelan Air Force - 24 on order [5]
Bolivia
Bolivian Air Force - 6 on order [6]
Zambia
Zambian Defence Force - 8
Zimbabwe
Air Force of Zimbabwe - 12