China’s Defense Industry Faces a Major Setback, Beijing Loses Large Orders, Close Partners Turn Away
China’s Defense Industry Faces a Major Setback, Beijing Loses Large Orders, Close Partners Turn Away
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China's defense industry has suffered another setback on the international market. Multiple media outlets reported in late March that the Egyptian ambassador to South Korea revealed negotiations for Egypt’s purchase of the FA-50 fighter jets from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are nearing completion. The deal is significant — it starts with an order of 36 FA-50 aircraft, with an option to purchase or locally assemble 64 more, bringing the total to around 100. This would replace Egypt's outdated fleet of Alpha Jet trainers. China’s L-15 lost out, watching the deal slip away as it failed to secure the contract.
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