Take a look at the J-15 fighter jet, the $61 million copy of a Soviet plane picked to wage war from China's aircraft carriers

Marielle DescalsotaNov 7, 2022, 11:01 IST

Chinese J-15 fighter jets on the deck of the Liaoning aircraft carrier during military drills in the Yellow Sea, off China's east coast.Contributor/AFP/STR/China OUT/Getty Images

China's touts the J-15 as its first locally made carrier-borne fighter jet.
The jet is an unlicensed copy of a Soviet-made Su-33 prototype, which China reverse-engineered.

The Shenyang J-15 is China's carrier-borne fighter jet. There are several dozen units of the jet currently in service.

J-15 fighter jet preparing to land on China's first operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea.Contributor/AFP/Getty Images

The J-15 is modeled after the Soviet-made Su-33 jet, per The National Interest.

J15 fighter jet landing on China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea.Contributor/AFP/China OUT/Getty Images

In September, Chinese state media released a video that military experts said appeared to show a J-15 warning off a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, according to South China Morning Post.

J-15 fighter jets are seen on the flight deck of China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, as it arrives in Hong Kong waters.Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

In September, Chinese state media released a video that military experts said appeared to show a J-15 warning off a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, according to South China Morning Post.

While the J-15 has been compared to several US jets like the F-35, it's been said to be no match for its US counterparts.

Chinese J-15 fighter jet preparing to take off from the deck of the Liaoning aircraft carrier during military drills in the Bohai Sea, off China's northeast coast.Contributor/AFP/STR/China OUT/Getty Images

The J-15 "would likely get slaughtered" if it went head to head with even fourth-generation aircraft like the F/A-18, experts previously told Insider, noting weaknesses in Chinese carrier designs.

Members of the public take photos with J-15 fighter jets aboard the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on July 8, 2017.Felix Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

The J-15 "would likely get slaughtered" if it went head to head with even fourth-generation aircraft like the F/A-18, experts previously told Insider, noting weaknesses in Chinese carrier designs.

The unit cost of the J-15 is at least $61 million, SCMP reported, citing Chinese military commentator Zhou Chenming.

China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea.Contributor/AFP/China OUT/Getty Images

There are at least five variations of the J-15, according to the Office of Naval Intelligence.

J-15 jet fighter is displayed at the military parade for the Commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.Contributor/South China Morning Post/Getty Images

I'm a New Yorker who visited Kansas City for the first time. Here are 8 things that surprised me.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Take a look at the J-15 fighter jet, the $61 million copy of a Soviet plane picked to wage war from China's aircraft carriers

The Shenyang J-15 is China's carrier-borne fighter jet. There are several dozen units of the jet currently in service.

The J-15 is modeled after the Soviet-made Su-33 jet, per The National Interest.

In September, Chinese state media released a video that military experts said appeared to show a J-15 warning off a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, according to South China Morning Post.

While the J-15 has been compared to several US jets like the F-35, it's been said to be no match for its US counterparts.

The J-15 "would likely get slaughtered" if it went head to head with even fourth-generation aircraft like the F/A-18, experts previously told Insider, noting weaknesses in Chinese carrier designs.

The unit cost of the J-15 is at least $61 million, SCMP reported, citing Chinese military commentator Zhou Chenming.

There are at least five variations of the J-15, according to the Office of Naval Intelligence.