A formation of three carrier-based J-15 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) delivered a debut performance as the latest models of the jet series made their inaugural appearance at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in south China on Tuesday.
Also known as Airshow China, the country's premier aviation event is running from Tuesday to Sunday in Zhuhai, a coastal city in Guangdong Province, with this also marking the first time the PLA Navy's has appeared at the airshow with its naval-based aircraft.
The formation, consisting of one J-15D and two J-15T fighter jets, flew over the Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, displaying the advanced capabilities of the aircraft with a refueling and landing demonstration.
Though similar in appearance, the three J-15 aircraft serve different functions, and all are fully domestically developed.
The navy also arranged displays of air assault operations by the Z-20J shipborne helicopter and the Z-8C transport helicopter, carrying naval marine units and related equipment.
Additionally, the navy also exhibited the Z-9F shipborne anti-submarine helicopter and Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, as well as several shipborne weapons systems and maritime rescue and survival equipment, most of which are being publicly unveiled for the first time.
The J-15, also known as "Flying Shark," is an updated version of the fourth-generation carrier-based fighter jet independently developed by China for its navy, which completed its maiden flight back from the Liaoning aircraft carrier back in 2012.
New J-15 fighter jet models perform aerobatic display in debut at Zhuhai airshow
