Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 vs Leonardo M-346 Master
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 and Leonardo M-346 Master are both trainer & light attack, compared here on public specifications. The Leonardo M-346 Master 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 3/9 |  Leonardo M-346 Master
Wins 6/9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 800 km/h | 1,090 km/h ✓ |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | N/A | 0.95 Mach |
| Cruise speed (km/h) | 650 km/h | N/A |
| Range (km) | 1,560 km | 1,900 km ✓ |
| Service ceiling (m) | 13,000 m | 13,800 m ✓ |
| Thrust-to-weight | N/A | 0.71 |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 5 | 7 ✓ |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 950 kg | 3,000 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 11.6 m | 11.49 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 2,687 kg | 4,610 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 4,330 kg | 6,800 kg |
| Crew | 2 | 2 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 17 kN | 28 kN ✓ |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $8,500,000 ✓ | $30,000,000 |
| Units built | 500 ✓ | 100 |
| Operator countries | 10 ✓ | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 and Leonardo M-346 Master? +
The Leonardo M-346 Master is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 1,090 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Leonardo M-346 Master has the longest range at 1,900 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The Leonardo M-346 Master 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 Leonardo M-346 Master has the higher hardpoints at 7.
Which has the higher service ceiling? +
The Leonardo M-346 Master has the higher service ceiling at 13,800 m.
Is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group JL-8 better than the Leonardo M-346 Master? +
On the public specs we track, the Leonardo M-346 Master leads on 5 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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