(NSI News Source Info) CARACAS - February 12, 2009: Venezuela will take delivery in 2010 of the first six of eight K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes it bought from China, to be used in the antidrugs fight, a military official said Feb. 11. 
In 2008 Venezuela announced the purchase 18 K-8 aircraft "to train fighter pilots." The planes could be part of Venezuela's air force by 2009. The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8), also known as the K-8 Karakorum, is a two-seat basic 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.
"In January 2010, we will have the first six in Venezuela, and before the middle of 2010 there will be 18 flying in Venezuelan airspace," said Gen. Jesus Gonzalez, who leads the Operational Strategic Command.
The two-seater will be test flown by Venezuelan pilots in China before they are taken apart and shipped to Venezuela, he added.
Russia, China and Belarus are Venezuela's main military suppliers.
In 2008 Venezuela announced the purchase 18 K-8 aircraft "to train fighter pilots." The planes could be part of Venezuela's air force by 2009. The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8), also known as the K-8 Karakorum, is a two-seat basic 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.
"In January 2010, we will have the first six in Venezuela, and before the middle of 2010 there will be 18 flying in Venezuelan airspace," said Gen. Jesus Gonzalez, who leads the Operational Strategic Command.
The two-seater will be test flown by Venezuelan pilots in China before they are taken apart and shipped to Venezuela, he added.
Russia, China and Belarus are Venezuela's main military suppliers.
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