China’s latest Flanker derivatives were out in full force at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, with the J-15T, J-16, J-15D, and J-16D all making appearances. Representing the most advanced iterations of the Flanker family in Chinese service, these aircraft have each been extensively modified to suit the specific needs of the PLA Air Force and Navy—from multirole strike to electronic warfare, and from land-based operations to carrier deployment.
The J-16, a versatile multirole fighter, impressed attendees as a powerful air superiority and strike platform. Equipped with advanced avionics, including an AESA radar and the domestically developed WS-10A engines, the J-16 has become a cornerstone of China’s modern air combat force. Its design, based on the Su-30, offers a balanced combination of air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
Next came the J-16D, China’s dedicated electronic warfare (EW) variant. First shown at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow as a non-registered prototype, the J-16D returned in 2024 with an official registration number, signaling its formal entry into active service with the PLA Air Force. The aircraft is equipped with advanced jamming pods and anti-radiation missiles, making it a key player in electronic warfare operations, capable of disrupting enemy radar and suppressing defense systems.
The J-15D, also known as the J-15DH (where “H” stands for “ski-jump” variant), was showcased at the 2024 airshow, marking its first public appearance. The “H” variant indicates that, while currently designed for ski-jump carriers, it can be modified in the future to operate from the Type 003 aircraft carrier, which uses an electromagnetic catapult system. Like the J-16D, the J-15D is equipped with sophisticated EW systems, providing the PLAN with enhanced capabilities to neutralize enemy radar and communication systems, offering a critical force multiplier in naval combat.
Finally, the J-15T, the PLAN’s new carrier-based fighter, made waves both on the ground and in flight. This variant, designed for the Type 003 aircraft carrier, is equipped with strengthened landing gear and an AESA radar, and is capable of operating with the carrier’s electromagnetic catapult system. The J-15T will form the backbone of the PLAN’s carrier-based strike capabilities, alongside the highly anticipated J-35.
