hj786
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PAF use their K-8P for training, they use fast jets (Mirages, F-16s) plus UAVs (Falco) for their COIN ops. Of course the Army uses Cobra attack helicopters.
Bolivia to Buy Six K-8 Jets from Pakistan
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SSGPA1
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If any manufacturing is done in Pakistan then it is good news. I am not sure about the 25% profit sharing claim.
Also the international media is reporting as an export from China and Pakistan is named as one of the users.
Also the international media is reporting as an export from China and Pakistan is named as one of the users.
bigmoneymaker
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those so called international media try to disequalize pak china equal relationship by making pak looked being inferior to their partner..pak should be well aware of this trick and try to make a reference to news from your own partner whilst listening to truth liar mixed western influenced international media, please be reminded and stay vigilant..
Abu Zolfiqar
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The K-8 Karakorum, is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft built in joint-cooperation between the People's Republic of China (China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation) and Pakistan (Pakistan Aeronautical Complex). The contractor for this plane is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. Export versions are designated K-8 Karakorum, after the mountain range that separates China and Pakistan.
History
The K-8 trainer was built through joint cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China. Initially, the aircraft was to feature many American parts, but due to political developments at the end of the 1980s, this plan was scrapped. The first prototype was built in 1989, with the first flight taking place on 21 November 1990.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) first received fourteen K-8 trainers in 1994, after which it decided to order 75 more to replace its fleet of T-37 trainers. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) received its first six K-8 trainers in 1998. Later upgrades to the Chinese model included an indigenously manufactured Chinese engine. The PLAAF is anticipated to continue adding the trainer to its fleet in order to replace older trainers that are now obsolete, such as the JJ-5.
Other nations have shown interest in the trainer and it now also serves in the air forces of Egypt, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. While the plane primarily serves as a trainer, it can also be used in the ground-attack or even air combat role when appropriately armed.
The latest development in the K-8 family is the K-8P version, which currently is operated by the Pakistan Air Force. K-8P has an advanced avionics package of integrated head-up displays and mulfi-function displays (MFD), also equipped with MFD-integrated GPS and ILS/TACAN systems.
In 2008 Venezuela announced the purchase of 18 K-8 aircraft. Currently the K-8 is being marketed by China to the air forces of the Philippines and to Indonesia, for replacing Indonesia's BAE Hawk Mk.53 jet trainers.
Design
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. Export variants of the K-8 (K-8E, K-8P) and domestic Chinese variants (JL-8) have differing powerplants and avionics configuration.
Airframe and flight control system
A low-wing monoplane design primarily constructed of aluminium alloys, the K-8 airframe structure is designed for an 8,000 flight hour service life.
The landing gear is of tricycle configuration, with hydraulically-operated wheel brakes and nose-wheel steering.
The flight control system operates a set of conventional flight control surfaces with a rigid push-rod transmission system, which itself is electrically or hydraulically operated. The aileron control system, of irreversible servo-control type, is composed of a hydraulic booster, an artificial feel device, a feel trim actuator and a rigid push-rod transmission mechanism. The elevator and rudder control system is of reversible push-rod type.
Cockpit and Avionics
The cockpit arrangement is designed to be as close to that of a combat aircraft as possible. A transparent plastic canopy covering both cockpits, which are arranged in a tandem seating position, is supposed to give a good all-round field of view.
A Collins electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS) is fitted, with multi-function displays (MFD) in the front and rear cockpits showing information to the pilots. The 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.
A UHF and VHF radio communication system is present, along with a tactical air navigation (TACAN) and Radio compass. An instrument landing system (ILS) is also available. These systems can be tailored to meet the requirements of the customer.
A strap-on environmental control system (ECS) from AlliedSignal provides air conditioning to the cockpit. It is capable of operating when the aircraft is on the ground, under ambient temperatures of -40 to +52 °C, as well as in the air.
Propulsion and Fuel System
The Chinese domestic variant of the K-8 (JL-8) was originally powered by the Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25TLK turbofan jet engine, but this has been replaced by WS-11, the Chinese-manufactured version of AI-25TLK. Export variants (K-8P, K-8E) can be fitted with the more powerful and efficient Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan, which has digital electronic engine control (DEEC).
A hydro-mechanical fuel control system delivers fuel to the engine. The aircraft's fuel system consists of the fuel tanks and the fuel supply/transfer, vent/pressurization, fuel quantity measuring/indicating, fuel refuelling and fuel drain subsystems. The total fuel is contained in two fuselage bladder-type rubber tanks and a wing integral tank of 1720 lb. The capacity of each drop tank is 250 litres.
Specifications (K-8)
Data from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, SinoDefence.com, PakDef.info, Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide
General Characteristics
Crew: 2 (in tandem)
Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.21 m (13 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 2,687 kg (5,924 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,330 kg (9,546 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan, 16.01 kN (3,600 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 0.75 (800 km/h, 498 mph)
Range: 2,250 km (1,398 mi)
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,651 ft)
Wing loading: 254.40 kg m-2 ()
Max. airframe load factor: +7.33 g / -3.0 g
Armament
Guns: 1× 23 mm external cannon pod (mounted on under-fuselage hardpoint)
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 (PL-5, PL-7)
Bombs:
200 kg, 250 kg gravity bomb
BL755 cluster bomb
Others:
2× fuel drop-tanks mounted on out-board under-wing hardpoints
History
The K-8 trainer was built through joint cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China. Initially, the aircraft was to feature many American parts, but due to political developments at the end of the 1980s, this plan was scrapped. The first prototype was built in 1989, with the first flight taking place on 21 November 1990.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) first received fourteen K-8 trainers in 1994, after which it decided to order 75 more to replace its fleet of T-37 trainers. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) received its first six K-8 trainers in 1998. Later upgrades to the Chinese model included an indigenously manufactured Chinese engine. The PLAAF is anticipated to continue adding the trainer to its fleet in order to replace older trainers that are now obsolete, such as the JJ-5.
Other nations have shown interest in the trainer and it now also serves in the air forces of Egypt, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. While the plane primarily serves as a trainer, it can also be used in the ground-attack or even air combat role when appropriately armed.
The latest development in the K-8 family is the K-8P version, which currently is operated by the Pakistan Air Force. K-8P has an advanced avionics package of integrated head-up displays and mulfi-function displays (MFD), also equipped with MFD-integrated GPS and ILS/TACAN systems.
In 2008 Venezuela announced the purchase of 18 K-8 aircraft. Currently the K-8 is being marketed by China to the air forces of the Philippines and to Indonesia, for replacing Indonesia's BAE Hawk Mk.53 jet trainers.
Design
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. Export variants of the K-8 (K-8E, K-8P) and domestic Chinese variants (JL-8) have differing powerplants and avionics configuration.
Airframe and flight control system
A low-wing monoplane design primarily constructed of aluminium alloys, the K-8 airframe structure is designed for an 8,000 flight hour service life.
The landing gear is of tricycle configuration, with hydraulically-operated wheel brakes and nose-wheel steering.
The flight control system operates a set of conventional flight control surfaces with a rigid push-rod transmission system, which itself is electrically or hydraulically operated. The aileron control system, of irreversible servo-control type, is composed of a hydraulic booster, an artificial feel device, a feel trim actuator and a rigid push-rod transmission mechanism. The elevator and rudder control system is of reversible push-rod type.
Cockpit and Avionics
The cockpit arrangement is designed to be as close to that of a combat aircraft as possible. A transparent plastic canopy covering both cockpits, which are arranged in a tandem seating position, is supposed to give a good all-round field of view.
A Collins electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS) is fitted, with multi-function displays (MFD) in the front and rear cockpits showing information to the pilots. The 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.
A UHF and VHF radio communication system is present, along with a tactical air navigation (TACAN) and Radio compass. An instrument landing system (ILS) is also available. These systems can be tailored to meet the requirements of the customer.
A strap-on environmental control system (ECS) from AlliedSignal provides air conditioning to the cockpit. It is capable of operating when the aircraft is on the ground, under ambient temperatures of -40 to +52 °C, as well as in the air.
Propulsion and Fuel System
The Chinese domestic variant of the K-8 (JL-8) was originally powered by the Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-25TLK turbofan jet engine, but this has been replaced by WS-11, the Chinese-manufactured version of AI-25TLK. Export variants (K-8P, K-8E) can be fitted with the more powerful and efficient Honeywell TFE731-2A-2A modular turbofan, which has digital electronic engine control (DEEC).
A hydro-mechanical fuel control system delivers fuel to the engine. The aircraft's fuel system consists of the fuel tanks and the fuel supply/transfer, vent/pressurization, fuel quantity measuring/indicating, fuel refuelling and fuel drain subsystems. The total fuel is contained in two fuselage bladder-type rubber tanks and a wing integral tank of 1720 lb. The capacity of each drop tank is 250 litres.
Specifications (K-8)
Data from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, SinoDefence.com, PakDef.info, Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide
General Characteristics
Crew: 2 (in tandem)
Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.21 m (13 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 2,687 kg (5,924 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,330 kg (9,546 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan, 16.01 kN (3,600 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 0.75 (800 km/h, 498 mph)
Range: 2,250 km (1,398 mi)
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,651 ft)
Wing loading: 254.40 kg m-2 ()
Max. airframe load factor: +7.33 g / -3.0 g
Armament
Guns: 1× 23 mm external cannon pod (mounted on under-fuselage hardpoint)
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 (PL-5, PL-7)
Bombs:
200 kg, 250 kg gravity bomb
BL755 cluster bomb
Others:
2× fuel drop-tanks mounted on out-board under-wing hardpoints
dizzy heights
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Procurement: Pakistan Supplies Bolivia With Chinese Aircraft
Pakistan Supplies Bolivia With Chinese Aircraft
October 9, 2009: Bolivia is buying six K-8 jet trainers from Pakistan, for $9.7 million each, to use for anti-drug operations. Actually, the aircraft is a joint Pakistan-China development project. But until recently, all of them were produced in China. Pakistan eventually wants to replace its aging T-38 trainers with 75 or more K-8s. Pakistan received its first 14 K-8s in the 1990s, and now has about 40. Egypt assembled 80 K-8s under license (using Chinese supplied components), and China has exported K-8s to several other countries (often at bargain prices).
The K-8 (also called JL-8) is a 4.3 ton, two seat, jet trainer. It uses a American, Chinese or Ukrainian engines. Originally, China was going to just use a 3600 pound thrust American engines. But after the 1989 Chinese crackdown on pro-democracy forces, the United States cut off the supply of engines. This encouraged China to design a similar engine (the WS-11). But China has had a hard time mastering the precise technologies and manufacturing techniques needed to build jet engines. So it has been buying the Ukrainian AI-25TLK, while it works to perfect its own engine design. About 500 K-8s have been built so far.
The K8 has a cruising speed of 800 kilometers an hour, endurance of four hours and it can carry a 23mm cannon in a bomb like pod, and half a ton of bombs, rockets or missiles. This gives the aircraft combat capability, at least against a foe with few anti-aircraft weapons. Electronics on the JL-8 are minimal, as it's basically a two seat trainer, to prepare fighter pilots before they climb into anything from a MiG-21 to an F-16.
Pakistan Supplies Bolivia With Chinese Aircraft
October 9, 2009: Bolivia is buying six K-8 jet trainers from Pakistan, for $9.7 million each, to use for anti-drug operations. Actually, the aircraft is a joint Pakistan-China development project. But until recently, all of them were produced in China. Pakistan eventually wants to replace its aging T-38 trainers with 75 or more K-8s. Pakistan received its first 14 K-8s in the 1990s, and now has about 40. Egypt assembled 80 K-8s under license (using Chinese supplied components), and China has exported K-8s to several other countries (often at bargain prices).
The K-8 (also called JL-8) is a 4.3 ton, two seat, jet trainer. It uses a American, Chinese or Ukrainian engines. Originally, China was going to just use a 3600 pound thrust American engines. But after the 1989 Chinese crackdown on pro-democracy forces, the United States cut off the supply of engines. This encouraged China to design a similar engine (the WS-11). But China has had a hard time mastering the precise technologies and manufacturing techniques needed to build jet engines. So it has been buying the Ukrainian AI-25TLK, while it works to perfect its own engine design. About 500 K-8s have been built so far.
The K8 has a cruising speed of 800 kilometers an hour, endurance of four hours and it can carry a 23mm cannon in a bomb like pod, and half a ton of bombs, rockets or missiles. This gives the aircraft combat capability, at least against a foe with few anti-aircraft weapons. Electronics on the JL-8 are minimal, as it's basically a two seat trainer, to prepare fighter pilots before they climb into anything from a MiG-21 to an F-16.
Super Falcon
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good news just wait for few days and u hear india will have its consern too with that deal
ejaz007
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Czechs Bounce, So Bolivia Goes Chinese
11-Oct-2009 15:13 EDT
The Fuerza Aerea Boliviana wants to replace its 16 obsolete Lockheed T-33s, a fleet of trainer and light attack jets whose design is derived from the USAAF/ USAFs first jet fighter, the P-80 Shooting Star. American production ended during the late 1950s, but licensed builds ended later, and it is still in service with some air forces around the world.
Bolivia has discussed possible deals for EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft with Brazil, and spent a great deal of time negotiating with The Czech Republic for some of its surplus L-159 ALCA/ L-159T advanced trainers and light attack jets. Unlike their popular Soviet-era L-39/L-59 counterparts, however, the L-159 was designed for compatibility with NATO equipment, and featured a number of American components. That proved the sales undoing. The USA invoked ITAR military technology transfer laws, and blocked the export to Chavez ally Evo Morales government.
In response, Bolivia turned to a Chinese/Pakistani joint venture, and will soon receive its jets
The JL-8/ K8 Karakorum
The K-8 Karakorum was jointly developed by Chinas Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in the 1990s. The original intent was to replace the Pakistani Air Forces Cessna T-37 jet trainers, but China also ended up adopting it as its jet trainer (JL-8).
According to Sino Defense, over 500 K-8s have been built since 1993. To date, it has been ordered by Pakistan (120), China (100+), Burma/ Myanmar (4), Ghana (4), Namibia (4), Sri Lanka (6-8, now 3-5), Sudan (12), Zambia (8), and Zimbabwe (12). A modified version is also produced by Egypt as the K-8E (120). Other reported orders include another 8 aircraft for Burma (now 12), Tanzania (6), and a recent order from Venezuela (24).
As one can readily see from the above list, the K-8 is in service with a number of rogue regimes. The jets dont have weapons built in, but they can be armed. K-8s carry up to 4 under-wing pylons rated at 250 kg each. Options include fuel drop tanks, 23mm cannon pods, unguided rockets, unguided bombs, and even short-range air-to-air missiles.
The aircraft has 3 engine options. The most common by production quantity is Chinas WS-11, a licensed copy of the Ukranian Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan. Aircraft so equipped are reportedly designated L-11s. The AI-25TL reportedly delivers 3,600 3,800 pounds thrust, and also equips aircraft for most export customers. As a 3rd choice, the K-8 is certified to carry an American-made Honeywell TFE731-2A turbofan, which was the subject of an investigation into Chinese espionage and gaps in American export controls. The Honeywell engine equips Pakistani aircraft.
Contracts and Key Events
Oct 2/09: The Bolivian government approves a $57.8 million-dollar purchase of 6 Chinese/ Pakistani K-8 trainers and light attack aircraft. The deal was reportedly finalized on Sept 30/09, and the newspaper La Razon quotes Defence Minister Walker San Miguel as saying that the president will announce it on October 10. San Miguel has had to defend the deal, which is come in for criticism by Bolivias neighbors. He reportedly said that The U.S. is not helping and Europe has its own regulations, so we went to China.
The aircrafts declared purpose is counter-narcotics and air surveillance. This very area has been a major irritant in Bolivias relations with the USA, due to the governments support of cocoa leaf production, and refusal to cooperate with international counter-narcotics efforts. From the US State Department Background Brief:
Bilateral relations have deteriorated sharply during the Morales administration . In June 2008, the government endorsed the expulsion of USAID from Bolivias largest coca-growing region . In November 2008, President Morales expelled the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from the country, ending a 35-year history of engagement against narcotics production and trafficking. Bolivias international obligation to control illegal narcotics is a major issue in the bilateral relationship. For centuries, a limited quantity of Bolivian coca leaf has been chewed and used in traditional rituals, but in the 1970s and 1980s the emergence of the drug trade led to a rapid expansion of coca cultivation used to make cocaine . In 1988, a new law, Law 1008, recognized only 12,000 hectares in the Yungas as sufficient to meet the licit demand of coca . Bolivia plans to expand legal coca production to 20,000 hectares and stresses development of legal commercial uses for coca leaf. The United States prefers long-term limits that track more closely with current estimated legal domestic demand of around 4,000 to 6,000 hectares. Current cultivation has oscillated between about 23,000 and 29,000 hectares since 2001.
Reports add that Bolivia is also waiting for 5 US-made H-1 Huey helicopters to be delivered by Brazil, but the delivery is said to be frozen by the need for American export approvals. Pakistans The News International | SpaceWar.
March 17/09: The pro-government La Prensa newspaper reports that the USA has refused export permission for the L159s to Bolivia. The cited source is a Ministry of Defense spokesman.
Under American law, military exports also require US government permission for any resale. That includes the American equipment installed in these jets. Evo Morales is a close ally of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, hence hostile to the United States.
Jan 13/09: Bolivias air force declares that it will purchase 5 single-seat L-159 light attack fighters and a twin-seat L-159T under the Air Surveillance and Control modernization program. Bolivian President Evo Morales has signed decree 29852, an order that includes the 6 planes, a flight simulator, pilot and maintenance training, spare parts, and other standard support. Despite Morales ties to volatile Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, American consent was reportedly forthcoming for re-export of the L-159s advanced electronics. The deal is worth $57.9 million, and will be paid in 4 installments: $11 million in 2009, and 3 more $15.6 million payments from 2010-2012. After that, matters become less clear.
Czech reports state that the 6 L-159s will have to undergo an overhaul worth over CZK 400 million ($18.7 million) before their transfer to Bolivia, to be paid by the Czech Republics Defence Ministry. On the other hand, President Morales decree appears to mention new aircraft, so this aspect is still slightly unclear. DID believes that refurbished aircraft are the likely bet, as restarting a production line is far too expensive.
Bolivias long-term intentions are less clear. Some reports peg the FABs desired goal as a fleet of 12-18 L-159s. Others cite a goal of 6 L-159 single-seat and 4 two-seat models. Still other sources note that a separate deal for Brazils similar EMB-314 Super Tucano turboprops is expected in 2009, once the export financing credits are approved by Brazils development bank. Time will tell.
The least clear aspect of this deal concerns the involvement of EADS. Earlier reports described a 3-corner deal structure, and reports indicate that the Czech defense ministry may still be interested in swapping the L-159s with EADS for one EADS-CASA C-295M light tactical transport plane, plus an option for buying another 3 aircraft to replace its aging AN-26s. EADS would then act as the middleman with Bolivia, and transfer its own aircraft to the Czechs in recompense.
At present, however, this arrangement does not appear to be reflected in the current deal; reports state that the designated agent will be the Czech Republics Omnipol. Other reports confuse the issue further by mentioning President Morales press conference response that he was getting CASA aircraft but caza (fighter) sounds very similar in Spanish. Praugue Daily Monitor | Decreto Supremo No 29852 [in Spanish] | Bolivias La Razon [in Spanish] | Thanks to subscriber Inigo Guevara for his assistance.
March 28/08: The Czech daily Lidove Noviny reports that the 6-month negotiations with Bolivia have failed, because the country does not have enough money for the 6-10 planes involved. Ceske Noviny report [English].
Czechs Bounce, So Bolivia Goes Chinese
11-Oct-2009 15:13 EDT
The Fuerza Aerea Boliviana wants to replace its 16 obsolete Lockheed T-33s, a fleet of trainer and light attack jets whose design is derived from the USAAF/ USAFs first jet fighter, the P-80 Shooting Star. American production ended during the late 1950s, but licensed builds ended later, and it is still in service with some air forces around the world.
Bolivia has discussed possible deals for EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft with Brazil, and spent a great deal of time negotiating with The Czech Republic for some of its surplus L-159 ALCA/ L-159T advanced trainers and light attack jets. Unlike their popular Soviet-era L-39/L-59 counterparts, however, the L-159 was designed for compatibility with NATO equipment, and featured a number of American components. That proved the sales undoing. The USA invoked ITAR military technology transfer laws, and blocked the export to Chavez ally Evo Morales government.
In response, Bolivia turned to a Chinese/Pakistani joint venture, and will soon receive its jets
The JL-8/ K8 Karakorum
The K-8 Karakorum was jointly developed by Chinas Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in the 1990s. The original intent was to replace the Pakistani Air Forces Cessna T-37 jet trainers, but China also ended up adopting it as its jet trainer (JL-8).
According to Sino Defense, over 500 K-8s have been built since 1993. To date, it has been ordered by Pakistan (120), China (100+), Burma/ Myanmar (4), Ghana (4), Namibia (4), Sri Lanka (6-8, now 3-5), Sudan (12), Zambia (8), and Zimbabwe (12). A modified version is also produced by Egypt as the K-8E (120). Other reported orders include another 8 aircraft for Burma (now 12), Tanzania (6), and a recent order from Venezuela (24).
As one can readily see from the above list, the K-8 is in service with a number of rogue regimes. The jets dont have weapons built in, but they can be armed. K-8s carry up to 4 under-wing pylons rated at 250 kg each. Options include fuel drop tanks, 23mm cannon pods, unguided rockets, unguided bombs, and even short-range air-to-air missiles.
The aircraft has 3 engine options. The most common by production quantity is Chinas WS-11, a licensed copy of the Ukranian Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan. Aircraft so equipped are reportedly designated L-11s. The AI-25TL reportedly delivers 3,600 3,800 pounds thrust, and also equips aircraft for most export customers. As a 3rd choice, the K-8 is certified to carry an American-made Honeywell TFE731-2A turbofan, which was the subject of an investigation into Chinese espionage and gaps in American export controls. The Honeywell engine equips Pakistani aircraft.
Contracts and Key Events
Oct 2/09: The Bolivian government approves a $57.8 million-dollar purchase of 6 Chinese/ Pakistani K-8 trainers and light attack aircraft. The deal was reportedly finalized on Sept 30/09, and the newspaper La Razon quotes Defence Minister Walker San Miguel as saying that the president will announce it on October 10. San Miguel has had to defend the deal, which is come in for criticism by Bolivias neighbors. He reportedly said that The U.S. is not helping and Europe has its own regulations, so we went to China.
The aircrafts declared purpose is counter-narcotics and air surveillance. This very area has been a major irritant in Bolivias relations with the USA, due to the governments support of cocoa leaf production, and refusal to cooperate with international counter-narcotics efforts. From the US State Department Background Brief:
Bilateral relations have deteriorated sharply during the Morales administration . In June 2008, the government endorsed the expulsion of USAID from Bolivias largest coca-growing region . In November 2008, President Morales expelled the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from the country, ending a 35-year history of engagement against narcotics production and trafficking. Bolivias international obligation to control illegal narcotics is a major issue in the bilateral relationship. For centuries, a limited quantity of Bolivian coca leaf has been chewed and used in traditional rituals, but in the 1970s and 1980s the emergence of the drug trade led to a rapid expansion of coca cultivation used to make cocaine . In 1988, a new law, Law 1008, recognized only 12,000 hectares in the Yungas as sufficient to meet the licit demand of coca . Bolivia plans to expand legal coca production to 20,000 hectares and stresses development of legal commercial uses for coca leaf. The United States prefers long-term limits that track more closely with current estimated legal domestic demand of around 4,000 to 6,000 hectares. Current cultivation has oscillated between about 23,000 and 29,000 hectares since 2001.
Reports add that Bolivia is also waiting for 5 US-made H-1 Huey helicopters to be delivered by Brazil, but the delivery is said to be frozen by the need for American export approvals. Pakistans The News International | SpaceWar.
March 17/09: The pro-government La Prensa newspaper reports that the USA has refused export permission for the L159s to Bolivia. The cited source is a Ministry of Defense spokesman.
Under American law, military exports also require US government permission for any resale. That includes the American equipment installed in these jets. Evo Morales is a close ally of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, hence hostile to the United States.
Jan 13/09: Bolivias air force declares that it will purchase 5 single-seat L-159 light attack fighters and a twin-seat L-159T under the Air Surveillance and Control modernization program. Bolivian President Evo Morales has signed decree 29852, an order that includes the 6 planes, a flight simulator, pilot and maintenance training, spare parts, and other standard support. Despite Morales ties to volatile Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, American consent was reportedly forthcoming for re-export of the L-159s advanced electronics. The deal is worth $57.9 million, and will be paid in 4 installments: $11 million in 2009, and 3 more $15.6 million payments from 2010-2012. After that, matters become less clear.
Czech reports state that the 6 L-159s will have to undergo an overhaul worth over CZK 400 million ($18.7 million) before their transfer to Bolivia, to be paid by the Czech Republics Defence Ministry. On the other hand, President Morales decree appears to mention new aircraft, so this aspect is still slightly unclear. DID believes that refurbished aircraft are the likely bet, as restarting a production line is far too expensive.
Bolivias long-term intentions are less clear. Some reports peg the FABs desired goal as a fleet of 12-18 L-159s. Others cite a goal of 6 L-159 single-seat and 4 two-seat models. Still other sources note that a separate deal for Brazils similar EMB-314 Super Tucano turboprops is expected in 2009, once the export financing credits are approved by Brazils development bank. Time will tell.
The least clear aspect of this deal concerns the involvement of EADS. Earlier reports described a 3-corner deal structure, and reports indicate that the Czech defense ministry may still be interested in swapping the L-159s with EADS for one EADS-CASA C-295M light tactical transport plane, plus an option for buying another 3 aircraft to replace its aging AN-26s. EADS would then act as the middleman with Bolivia, and transfer its own aircraft to the Czechs in recompense.
At present, however, this arrangement does not appear to be reflected in the current deal; reports state that the designated agent will be the Czech Republics Omnipol. Other reports confuse the issue further by mentioning President Morales press conference response that he was getting CASA aircraft but caza (fighter) sounds very similar in Spanish. Praugue Daily Monitor | Decreto Supremo No 29852 [in Spanish] | Bolivias La Razon [in Spanish] | Thanks to subscriber Inigo Guevara for his assistance.
March 28/08: The Czech daily Lidove Noviny reports that the 6-month negotiations with Bolivia have failed, because the country does not have enough money for the 6-10 planes involved. Ceske Noviny report [English].
Czechs Bounce, So Bolivia Goes Chinese
bigmoneymaker
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it is the usa that block the czech bolivia deal, and so bolivia goes for the k8....the english version of the news has been heavily filtered by the western media,so you cant know the usa behind the scene, from here we can also see how strong determined and united the western medias are to maintain their nation images from all aspects...
bigmoneymaker
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dude, it is not the problem of money, if it so, then bolivia will not buy any planes including k8 because she just lacks of money, does it make sense??? the czech planes engines are produced in the usa, so as usa says no, then no deal between them already...just because czech does not look up to the usa hegemony and she suffers the sanctions from usa,how poor......
