Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 vs Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 are both trainer & light attack, compared here on public specifications. The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 leads on weapons payload (3,000 vs 950 kg). Several China-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8
Wins 2/8 | Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15
Wins 6/8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 800 km/h | 1,520 km/h ✓ |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | N/A | 1.4 Mach |
| Cruise speed (km/h) | 650 km/h | N/A |
| Range (km) | 1,560 km | 3,100 km ✓ |
| Service ceiling (m) | 13,000 m | 16,000 m ✓ |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 5 | 6 ✓ |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 950 kg | 3,000 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 11.6 m | 12.27 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 2,687 kg | 6,500 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 4,330 kg | 9,800 kg |
| Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 17 kN | 41 kN ✓ |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $8,500,000 | N/A |
| Units built | 500 ✓ | 200 |
| Operator countries | 10 ✓ | 3 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 1,520 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 has the longest range at 3,100 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 carries the largest weapons payload at 3,000 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 has the lower public unit-cost figure at 8,500,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher hardpoints? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 has the higher hardpoints at 6.
Which has the higher service ceiling? +
The Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 has the higher service ceiling at 16,000 m.
Is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 better than the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15? +
On the public specs we track, the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group L-15 leads on 6 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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