How a Russian-consulted trainer became China's low-risk interception tool

Wars & Conflicts · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Originally known as the Hongdu L-15 Falcon, this advanced jet trainer is transforming how the People's Liberation Army prepares pilots. By bridging the gap between basic training and high-performance fighters, it offers a cost-effective way to manage modern aerial encounters and complex carrier-based operations.

Developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC), the Hongdu JL-10 (or L-15) functions as a high-tech light combat aircraft and supersonic advanced jet trainer. Its development was marked by international collaboration; in 2000, AVIC II contracted the Russian Yakovlev Design Bureau—the creators of the Yak-130—to serve as technical consultants for the program. This lineage helped shape an aircraft capable of serving as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

The aircraft exists in several specialized variants. The subsonic L-15A (or L-15AW) utilizes the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 engine and features seven weapon hardpoints. For more demanding missions, the supersonic L-15B light attack variant uses the AI-222K-25F engine to reach speeds of Mach 1.4, boasting nine hardpoints and shorter takeoff and landing distances. There is also the JL-10J, a carrier-compatible version designed for catapult launch training, which has been observed on the Type 003 aircraft carrier.

Beyond its training role, the JL-10 has proven its utility in active geopolitical friction. During September 2026, three Philippine propeller-driven planes were intercepted by three JL-10s over the South China Sea's contested Scarborough Shoal, which used PL-5 short-range air-to-air missiles to force their retreat. This highlights the aircraft's role as a cost-effective, low-risk solution for interception missions. With a service life estimated at 10,000 hours and a structure composed of 25% composite materials, the JL-10 represents a significant leap in training efficiency for the PLA.

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