The A-5C was the export version of the Q-5 Fantan, dating back to the early days of paid military sales in the 1980s. China was in desperate need of funding after economic reforms,, and since previous aircraft exports were essentially given as aid rather than sales, military factories were also searching for a means to generate funds for their new projects. The idea for an export Q-5 came from Pakistan, which decided to expand its air force with more strike aircraft following previous losses in war and concerns about the menacing Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The Q-5 was chosen due to its impressive performance at low altitudes and relatively affordable price. However, these jets needed to be upgraded with Western avionics and weapons to ensure logistical compatibility. The new jet, known as the A-5C in PAF service, began production in the early 1980s and was exported to several countries across the Afro-Eurasian continent.

Introduced in Update "Direct Hit", the A-5C shares most of the performance, appearance, and capabilities of the Q-5A, but with advanced air-to-air missiles and Western bombs which might be more familiar to French and American pilots. It retains the Q-5A's ballistic computer and can still destroy ground targets with HE rockets and unguided bombs. However, the main improvement over the tech tree Fantans lies in its ability to carry AAMs on dedicated wing hardpoints. With its excellent climb rate for an attacker, a pair of deadly Magic 1s or AIM-9Ps, and somewhat superior manoeuvrability to contemporary counterparts, it can punch above its weight in air combat, surprising opponents with what a MiG-19-based aircraft can do.