Experts recommend fighter plane for developing nations

An Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC)'s JF-17/FC-1, operated by the Pakistan Air Force, stands on display during the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014.[Photo/CFP]

While courting potential clients, AVIC has also started to develop the two-seat version of the FC-1 and plans to introduce it to the international market in three to four years, according to Ma Zhi-ping, general manager of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp.

"Many potential buyers have told us they hope we can produce a two-seater variant of the FC-1, and we are in the middle of purchasing negotiations with several countries," Ma said.

Yang Wei, chief designer of the FC-1 at AVIC, told China Daily earlier his team will gradually upgrade the aircraft to give it partial stealth capability and aerial refueling equipment.

However, Wang from Aerospace Knowledge said that having advanced capability is far from sufficient to secure a contract.

"The export of military aircraft, especially fighter jets, is often influenced by a host of geopolitical factors," he explained.