China conducted the debut flight of an indigenously-built low-cost combat aircraft meant for export, state-run media reported Saturday.
As a light attack aircraft or fighter jet, the FTC-2000G is a replacement for old models such as China's J-7 and the former Soviet Union's MiG-21.
The FTC-2000G, developed for export by the State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), made its debut flight on Friday in the south-west province of Guizhou, state-run China Daily reported.
The FTC-2000G aircraft flew for about 16 minutes. More than 1,000 people, including AVIC executives and provincial leaders as well as ambassadors and military attaches from several nations, took part in the ceremony marking the debut flight of the FTC-2000G, it said.
China, in the recent past, has developed a range of fighter jets including a stealth aircraft. It also jointly produces the JF-17 Thunder aircraft with Pakistan.
However, China is yet to develop an engine of its own for the jets and mostly imports it from Russia.
According to AVIC, the aircraft is tasked mainly with air strikes against ground targets.
The FTC-2000G is a fixed-wing, multi-role combat plane tasked mainly with air strikes against ground targets. It can also be used as a fighter jet or trainer aircraft, AVIC said in a statement.
Equipped with modern radar and fire-control systems, the FTC-2000G is capable of staying airborne for three hours in a single operation and can carry as much as three tonnes of missiles, rockets or bombs, AVIC said, adding that it is equipped with air-to-surface weapons.
Hu Jianxing, chief designer of the FTC-2000G at Guizhou Aviation Industry, said the aircraft features high operational economy and can carry out tasks in all weather conditions and at night.
With the proper equipment, the aircraft will also be able to perform reconnaissance or electronic-warfare operations.
"The aircraft can fulfil a wide range of tasks, ranging from flight training and close air support to long-distance penetration air strikes and air escorts," he told reporters.
It took less than two years to develop the jet, AVIC said, adding that the twin-seat plane is a modified version of a new type of advanced training jet that has been deployed by the Chinese Air Force and Navy.
The FTC-2000G has a maximum speed of 1.2 Mach, or 1,470km per hour, a maximum take-off weight of 11 metric tons, maximum flight range of 2,400km and an operational flight ceiling of 15km.
Though the FTC-2000G will face competition from South Korea's FA-50 and Italy's M346, it will enjoy a pricing advantage, another daily, Global Times, quoted experts as saying.
China delivered six FTC-2000s, FTC-2000G's predecessor, to Sudan in May, according to UK-based Jane's Defence Weekly.
