The J-15 fighter jet of the Chinese Navy crashed during training exercises on March 15. This was reported by the South China Morning Post.
It was reported that the aircraft crashed in an open area in Hainan province. The pilot managed to eject and survived. An investigation has been launched into the causes of the accident.
The Navy is organizing efforts to address the consequences of the accident, the report states.
The incident occurred in the South China Sea region, where tensions have arisen between Chinese and Philippine vessels over disputed reefs and islands in recent years. In February, the Philippine Coast Guard condemned the dangerous maneuvers of a Chinese Navy helicopter.
What is known about China's J-15 fighter?
China's Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter is often referred to as the "Flying Shark," and it is based on Chinese aviation. The aircraft was commissioned in 2013. The J-15 fighter jet, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, is based on the Soviet Union's Su-33 aircraft. In the early 2000s, China purchased a prototype in Ukraine. According to 2022 data, the unit cost of the J-15 aircraft is at least 61 million dollars.
Regardless of its original design, the J-15 has been upgraded with advanced avionics, radar systems, and weapons, making it a multirole fighter.
Equipped with two WS-10 engines, the aircraft has a combat radius of nearly 1500 kilometers and a payload capacity of over 6.5 tons. It can carry a combination of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-ship missiles.
