Nanchang A-5, Pakistan users

 

The Nanchang A-5C is the export variant of the Chinese-built Nanchang Q-5C, which is a single-seat, twin-engined ground attack aircraft derived from the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19. 

The A-5C is the export variant, equipped with modern western avionics and was mainly exported to Pakistan.

Such was the case, that in 1982 the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) ordered the type and, in February 1983 the first batch of 42 A-5B to be used as strike aircraft. The type was operated by the No.32 Fighter Ground Attack Wing, comprising Nos. 16 'Panther' and 26 'Black Spider' squadrons and based at Peshawar. The No.16 operated the A-5 from 1983 until April 2011 making the last unit to withdraw it from active service, while the No.26 operated it from 1984 until February 2010. The No.7 (Operational Conversion Unit) Squadron, belonging to the same wing, also operated the type as it was a former combat squadron. It was based at Masroor and equipped the A-5C from 1983 until 1991. 

In early 1987 a second batch of 100 A-5Cs was also delivered. However, by late 1991 there were reports of only 54 active aircraft. 

In 1990 the PAF also tested the A-5M which is the export variant of the Q-5M, a variant with even more western avionics, but it was rejected in favour of the Dassault Mirage IIIK, after the programe for the French fighter was extended. 

By the year 2011 the type has already been withdrawn from active use with the PAF.

Sources:

1. Midland Publishing - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19. The Soviet Union's First Production Supersonic Fighter

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanchang_Q-5

Chengdu JJ-5/FT-5 - Foreign Users

The Chengdu JJ-5 is a twin-seater trainer variant of the Shenyang/Chengdu J-5 designed and developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It mixed the airframe of the J-5, the airbrakes from the J-5A and the tandem twin-seat cockpit section of the JJ-2 (the Chinese copy of the MiG-15UTI trainer). When exported it was designated as Chengdu FT-5. It was exported to many countries:

• Albania: Together with the first Chinese aircraft received, the Shenyang F-5, the Albanian Air Force got some FT-5 which were used as trainers and even as attack aircraft during the Albanian Civil War in 1997. Nowadays they're put into storage together with the F-5s.
• Bangladesh: After achieving their independence in 1971, the People's Liberation Army Air Force supplied the Bangladesh with some FT-5s which, by 1980 all of them were retired as the more advanced Chengdu FT-7 became available.
• Pakistan: Pakistan's Air Force No.1 Fighter Conversion Unit operated at least 25 FT-5 trainers from 1975 until 2012 when they were replaced by locally built Karakorum K-8 trainer.
• Sri-Lanka: The FT-5 was the main jet familiarisation trainer for Sri-Lankan pilots from 1990, when they were bought, until 2001 when they were replaced by the Karakorum K-8.
• Zimbabwe: The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) acquired some FT-5 in the 1980s which were used as intermediate trainers. Nowadays just one of them is in AFZ's inventory, into storage status.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-5

2. https://xairforces.net/airforces.asp?id=37#.XilQTa7QiUk

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Air_Force

4. https://www.airliners.net/photo/Sri-Lanka-Air-Force/Shenyang-FT-5/1760071

5. Hikoki Publications - Chinese Aircraft - China's Aviation History since 1951

6. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters