The "Kinship" Among China, Russia, and Italy’s Jet Trainers

A November 4 article by Japanese media outlet *Jōbutsu* notes that China’s L-15 jet trainer bears a striking resemblance to the Italian M-346, which is also considered a potential successor to Japan’s current T-4 trainer in service with the Self-Defense Forces. The L-15 features a large canopy and light handling characteristics. Its high maneuverability has attracted the attention of the United Arab Emirates Air Force’s aerobatic team, Al Hursan, which has adopted the aircraft. The control system employs fly-by-wire technology—similar to that found in modern combat fighters—transmitting pilot inputs via electrical signals to flight surfaces. The tall vertical tail ensures sustained maneuverability even during high pitch attitudes, making it well-suited as a dedicated trainer.

Nonetheless, the overall appearance of the L-15 closely mirrors that of the M-346, developed by Leonardo (formerly Aermacchi) in Italy. Equally similar is the Russian Yak-130 trainer. In fact, these three aircraft share a common design lineage.

Originally, in the 1980s, the Soviet Yakovlev Design Bureau sought a new-generation trainer. At the same time, Italy’s Aermacchi was developing its own advanced trainer. The two entities signed a cooperation agreement in 1992 to jointly develop the aircraft.

However, disagreements over final design details led the project down divergent paths. As a result, the Yak-130 and M-346 emerged as distinct but closely related variants—essentially “siblings.” Later, China partnered with the Yakovlev Design Bureau to develop the L-15 jet trainer, which bears strong similarities to the Yak-130.

Thus, the relationship among these three aircraft can be described as follows: the Yak-130 and M-346 are “siblings,” while the M-346 and L-15 are “cousins.” The first flights occurred in 1996 (Yak-130), 2004 (M-346), and 2006 (L-15), respectively.

The collaboration between Italy and the former Soviet Union—two nations with vastly different political systems—was feasible due to the nature of trainer aircraft. Unlike fighter jets, trainers lack sophisticated radar systems or weapon control interfaces, reducing the risk of sensitive information leakage.

This characteristic—lower technical barriers compared to fighter development—also applies to international sales. The UAE’s acquisition of the L-15 exemplifies this trend.

The UAE pursues a policy of diversified international relations. Under this context, the procurement of the L-15 was completed. Since trainer aircraft do not carry advanced radars or weapons, their acquisition carries limited political implications. This presents a significant commercial opportunity for China.

Japan is currently evaluating successors to its aging T-4 trainer, with the Italian-made M-346 among the candidates. Should the M-346 be selected, its “sibling” Yak-130 would remain in Russia, while its “cousin” L-15 would be operational in China. A single aircraft lineage could thus find its way into the inventory of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. The global evolution of jet trainer programs reveals an intriguing pattern.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880894072954884/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.