China’s new combat jet spotted in test flight

China has conducted the maiden flight of a new jet trainer aircraft, as shown in recently published images circulating on Chinese social media.

The prototype aircraft was spotted during pre-flight preparations and later airborne, marking its debut in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s expanding aviation program.

The jet, produced by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), features design elements tailored for naval operations, including twin engines, a reinforced landing gear system, and twin canted vertical stabilizers. While its general layout resembles the U.S.-made Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, the new trainer incorporates adaptations for carrier landings, such as a twin-nose wheel and structural modifications suitable for arrested recovery and catapult launch.

According to a 2023 Chinese patent filing, the aircraft is officially designated as a “twin-tail jet with side-mounted intakes.” The technical illustrations detail a tandem two-seat cockpit and prominent air intakes, consistent with naval aviation requirements.

Analysts suggest the aircraft is being developed as a universal platform for training naval aviators and potentially as the foundation for future light combat or patrol variants capable of performing air-to-air interception and ground strike missions. Industry observers highlight features such as its ruggedized landing gear, arrestor hook housing, and twin-engine configuration as clear indicators of its deck-based role.

The new trainer’s introduction comes amid China’s broader efforts to modernize its carrier aviation forces, currently reliant on the JL-9 and L-15 platforms, neither of which fully meet the operational needs of modern aircraft carriers.

HAIG, based in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, is also the manufacturer of the L-15 Falcon trainer, a platform currently in service with the PLA Air Force and exported to multiple countries. While the L-15 has been used in advanced pilot training roles, it lacks the full capability required for carrier takeoff and landing operations.

By comparison, the new prototype offers design upgrades that suggest a focus on operational compatibility with carrier decks. With China’s third aircraft carrier, Fujian, undergoing sea trials, demand for a dedicated carrier-based jet trainer is increasing.

China’s JL-9 and L-15 trainers have seen limited effectiveness in maritime operations. The JL-9, a derivative of the older J-7 platform, lacks the performance envelope needed for realistic carrier operations, while the L-15, though more modern, is primarily optimized for land-based training.

This new HAIG jet is expected to fill that gap by offering an indigenous carrier-capable training aircraft for the PLAN. It could also serve as the foundation for a light strike or multirole platform in future iterations.

The emergence of the new trainer highlights China’s continuing investment in naval aviation as part of its long-term strategy to expand blue-water operational capabilities and reduce dependency on imported or modified land-based systems.