With a range (combat loaded) of 1270 km, the options for aerial refueling and a pretty heavy weapons load of both A2A and A2G weapons, it is a potent addition to China's Carrier Doctrine and another system which forms both an offensive and defensive bubble.
J-15: Single-seat variant J-15S: Two-seat variant J-15T: Designed for CATOBAR (non-sloped deck) rated J-15D: J-15S with EW pods and dedicated EW role J-15B: Improved weapons, sensors and new avionics
The AL-31s weren't as powerful as the Chinese had wanted and so they were looking and developing new ones- but for now it was good enough. 2012 marked the first landing quals- and in 2013 full mass production began. Now in 2024 there's likely 60-80 aircraft and several variants.
By 2009, the first J-15 was ready to fly. It used more composites and native home sourced parts than its Soviet (later Russian) ancestor, the Su-33.
Enter Ukraine, with the prototype Su-33 (Aircraft T-10K-3) still in the country for the unfinished Ulyanovsk Carrier- SAC had a chance. In 2001 they negotiated and managed to secure a deal for it.
J-15 "Flying Shark" [飞鲨] Shenyang Aircraft Corporation wanted to get the PLAN a carrier fighter, and with the fall of the Soviet Union there were very few people willing to sell one.
Yeah! Pastas dropped last month!
Real! Love quirky stuff from China
[SKS everything] works very well, though from what I was able to find its more of a Tokarev style system lol (weird ass SVT-SKS hybrid I'd say)