When it comes to the Cambodian Air Force, everyone must not know much about it, and today Brother Sanbai will first introduce it to you.
The total number of cambodian air force is more than 4,000 people, although it seems that there are many, but the total number of pilots is only about 100 (and not all of them are fixed-wing aircraft pilots), equipped with about 50 kinds of aircraft.
The current Cambodian Air Force has 3 An-24 transport aircraft, 1 An-26 transport aircraft and 2 Y-12 transport aircraft. There are 2 Mi-8 helicopters, 5 Mi-17 helicopters, 2 Mi-26 helicopters, 1 AS350 Squirrel and 1 AS355 Squirrel 2 light helicopter.
Regarding fixed-wing fighters, although the Cambodian Air Force was equipped with about 40 MiG-21 fighters around the 1980s. But with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the changes in the situation in Cambodia itself, the parts and maintenance support of these MiG-21s in the future are a bit insufficient, and the proper rate of these MiG-21s in Cambodia's hands decades later is actually not high, and whether half of them can fly is unknown.
In addition, Cambodia has introduced six L-39Cs before, but one of them was lost shortly after delivery, so there are now only five, and these L-39Cs are facing the same poor maintenance as the MiG-21.
In summary, the Cambodian Air Force actually needs a new fixed-wing aircraft that is easy to use and does not cost too much, and because Cambodia cannot ask for too much, the best use of this aircraft is also more diverse. The Cambodian side chose the FTC-2000G Mountain Hawk trainer (multi-role fighter) based on this.
The Mountain Eagle successfully made its maiden flight on September 28, 2018, and its biggest benefit is its versatility. Just as the so-called Sparrow is small but complete, the mountain eagle fighter has a maximum range of 2,000 kilometers, the maximum load capacity can reach 2,000 kilograms, the fighter can be equipped with various equipment and pods, to achieve the conversion between different roles, basically can play the bombing, air, coach three roles, really can be described as "one machine multi-purpose".
As a fighter, the Mountain Hawk fighter has good maneuverability and a good range, and can carry four air-to-air missiles for anti-air missions. If used as a light bomber, the fighter is equipped with advanced radar and has also reached a certain load capacity, which can be carried out for simple bombing. Coupled with its own "old line" - trainer aircraft, the Mountain Eagle aircraft can really be described as an "all-rounder" in the air.
What is even more rare is that the Mountain Eagle aircraft can be said to be at the price of the second-generation aircraft, which is close to the performance of the third-generation aircraft. You know, the Lightning fighter, which has always been known for its "high quality and low price", also cost more than ten million US dollars. While South Korea's T50 trainers are priced at about $18 million to $20 million, and the single-seat combat version is about $22 million, the Colombian Air Force has previously signed a $600 million agreement with South Korea to introduce 20 T50s, each of which costs more than $30 million!
T50 trainer
According to the agreement signed by Cambodia and the relevant parties, these Mountain Hawk aircraft are only priced at $8.5 million each! This is actually not much higher than some second-generation machines, which can be called a brother price!
It is reported that the Cambodian Air Force will obtain at least six Mountain Eagles by 2023, and after these aircraft are in service, the strength of the Cambodian Air Force will definitely be greatly improved, let us wait and see!