SOURCE: AFI

In a gesture of goodwill and military cooperation, Pakistan has delivered an FT-7P fighter aircraft to the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) in January 2025. This aircraft, a Chinese-manufactured J-7 in its export trainer configuration, was provided as a grant, highlighting the ongoing military ties between the two nations.
The FT-7P, essentially a dual-seat training variant of the F-7, has been a part of Pakistan’s Air Force inventory for training purposes. With the introduction of the more advanced JF-17B dual-seat trainer aircraft, Pakistan found itself with surplus FT-7 aircraft. These planes were previously used to train pilots destined for the F-7PG fleet, for weapons tactics training, and as adversary aircraft in simulated combat scenarios.
For Sri Lanka, this donation is significant. Historically, the SLAF had only one FT-7 trainer, an older model, which has likely seen extensive service. The addition of the FT-7P not only doubles Sri Lanka’s capacity for training its fighter pilots but also introduces a more modern variant of the aircraft. This will enhance the SLAF’s ability to maintain pilot proficiency and potentially extend the operational life of its existing F-7 fleet.
This donation comes at a time when Sri Lanka is looking to modernize its air force capabilities within budget constraints. The FT-7P, while not the newest technology on the market, fits well into this strategy by offering a proven platform for pilot training at a minimal cost.
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