Recently published photographs offer a good look of the J-15DT, the electronic war version of the Chinese hunting J-15. It shows at least three external pods, in addition to low visibility badges and a code associated with operational devices. It is an indication that we are not talking about a simple prototype and that this variant aims to operate from attancies with catapult like Fujian. It is convenient to keep the caution before the images, but everything fits with the program address.
What do we know of the J-15DT. The J-15D was already shown as Chinese Electronic War platform (EW) with specialized pods and support/sead approach, according to Jane’s in its Zhuhai 2024 coverage. The DT version would go one step further to optimize to Catobar, with visible external changes and structural modifications associated with catapult operations. The most recent images hold that reading.
The J-15 did not start from scratch: Beijing acquired in 2001 in Ukraine an unfinished prototype of the SU-33 (T-10K-3) and used it as the basis of a reverse engineering that later integrated plane and national systems (derived from the J-11B program). The model flew for the first time in 2009 and began operating from the Liaoning aircraft carrier from 2012, approximately. Since then, variants such as J-15T and DT for catapult environments have emerged.
Electronic War in the air: the other battlefield. The J-15DT mission fits that of a “Chinese Growler”: disturb radars and communications, escort other devices and provide EW coverage to the shipped air wing. Army Collection also indicates the possible integration of anti-Radiation missiles YJ-91 for Misiones SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses), although there is no official confirmation.
Will it operate from Fujian? Everything points to yes. The Fujian (Type 003), the first Chinese aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), has shown in official material at the end of July 2025 signs of catapult launches with J-15T devices, and media as Naval News assume that the J-15DT is aligned with that platform. The entry into the Fujian service is handled by the end of 2025, a forecast subject to changes.
One more piece in China’s military puzzle. The J-15DT is a gear of the modernization of the popular liberation army: “modern” in 2035 and “world class” in 2049. In Naval, 2025 saw the commissioning of the first Type 054B frigate, while the family of Type 075 carrier has been incorporated since 2021; On the horizon, the future type 004 appears. All this reinforces the ambition of having a more capable embarked aviation.
Images | Faysue6
In WorldOfSoftware | The Achilles heel of the F-35: without Chinese rare earth, the US military supply chain staggers
