HAL recently flew the first Mk.1A version of the Tejas, of which a small batch was ordered by the Indian Air Force. The much-improved Mk.2 is now under development. (Photo: HAL). The Chengdu JF-17 developed by China and Pakistan is being offered for export customers and its Block III version has different improvements, including in-flight refuelling probe, a two seater version, AESA radar, new EW equipment and more. (Photo: Pakistan Air Force). 22 · MT 2/2023 Theme: Light Fighters choosing supersonic light aircraft often search for a multirole fighter that can attend both air-to-air and air-to-surface tasks. Countries looking for air-to-surface missions or to intercept slow movers often accept the trade-off of a subsonic light fighter that offer big operational flexibility at lower costs. Geography also has an impact on requirements, as small countries often renounce to the full command of their airspace, rather focusing on the contrast of illegal flights by low-speed aircraft (smugglers, non-state actors). For these tasks, armed trainers are often more than sufficient. Proposals Supersonic models include KAI FA-50, Hongdu L-15 Falcon, HAL Tejas and the Chengdu JF-17, all produced in Asia, while subsonic proposals include Leonardo M346FA, Russian Yak-130, and Textron Scorpion. Except for the latter, all the others are already operating with different customers. Concerning new proposals, Boeing may develop a combat variant of the T-7 Red Hawk, while HAL announced at Aeroindia 2023 the development of a combat-capable supersonic trainer, dubbed HLFT-42. For its part, although Aero has ceased production of the L-159, in 2018 they presented the F/A-259 Striker project in collaboration with IAI. The KAI FA-50 was born as a development of the TA-50, which is an armed version of the T-50 trainer. The model is already in service in Korea and the Philippines, while deliveries to Poland are expected to begin this year. The Polish contract put the spotlight on this solution, and the community of interested countries is growing. In addition, the T-50 and TA-50 also equip the air forces of Iraq, Indonesia and Thailand. KAI, for its part, recently showed interest in moving forward with a single-seat version of the plane, dubbed the F-50. The FA-50 Block 20, currently under development, incorporates an AESA radar, Link-16 datalink, can carry the Sniper target designation pod and new weapons, such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. The Chengdu JF-17 was developed by China and Pakistan, with the latter being the launch customer and main operator. Currently the much-improved Block 3 is under production for Pakistan and being offered to many countries, with Argentina as one of the most interested against small concentrations of troops, flying at low speed is essential in order to search for the target and identify it, which is sometimes difficult to detect and can only be located visually. If greater persistence is added to that, the aircraft can reach the area of operations, make a correct identification of the target, attack it, and remain in the area in case its intervention is needed again. Endurance must be coupled with a sufficient number of weapons, so that persistence in theatre can include both time on station and the possibility of multiple attacks on multiple targets. Today, all models offered by the industry can carry state-of-the-art guided weaponry and target designation and reconnaissance pods. However, the number of available weapons depend on the aircraft features and can influence the choice of air forces in function of the assigned tasks. For example, air forces tasked with Counter Insurgency (COIN) missions will have a preference for large numbers of light, accurate weapons. Supersonic light fighters also allow for air policing tasks, where supersonic speed is needed for timely and effective interception. However, supersonic light fighters also get closer to proper fighters in terms of maintenance costs, as airframes have to withstand greater stress. Air forces KAI offers the FA-50, a light fighter development from the T-50 advanced trainer, and was recently selected by Poland to replace their last Russian built fighters. (Photo: KAI). e f
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