Fighter Aircraft
Shenyang J-11 / J-11B
The J-11 is a twin-engine heavy air-superiority fighter made by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (AVIC) in China, in service since 1998. It began as a licensed Su-27SK and evolved into the J-11B with Chinese engines and radar.
China|Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (AVIC)What Is the Shenyang J-11? Overview, History and Development
China signed a 1996 contract to build 200 Su-27SKs under licence as the J-11, assembled from Russian kits. The programme ended after 105 aircraft in 2006 amid a dispute with Russia, when China moved to the J-11B, which first flew in 2002 and entered service in 2007. The J-11B has WS-10A turbofans of about 130 kN each, a Type 1493 pulse-Doppler radar and a glass cockpit. Top speed is about Mach 2.35, ceiling about 19,000 m and range about 3,500 km.
Open-source estimates put J-11 production at about 300 aircraft of all types, with more than 200 of them J-11Bs, serving with the PLAAF and the PLA Navy. China is the only operator. The J-11D is a further upgrade with AESA radar and PL-15 capability, seen from about 2015–2017 in limited numbers. J-11s have carried out intercepts over the South China Sea, including a 2014 close pass of a US P-8 Poseidon. Moscow accused China of copyright violations, which reduced Russian export chances. The J-16 and J-15 are strike and carrier derivatives.
Shenyang J-11 Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament
Shenyang J-11 Variants and Versions Compared
The Russian-kit licence-built Su-27SK, produced until 2006.
The domestic version with WS-10A engines and Chinese radar, plus the J-11BS two-seat trainer.
A further upgraded variant with AESA radar and PL-15 compatibility, produced in limited numbers.
Which Countries Use the Shenyang J-11? Operators and Users
ChinaShenyang J-11 FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many J-11s does China have?
China is estimated to have about 300 J-11s of all types, according to open-source estimates. More than 200 are J-11Bs, and official numbers are not published.
J-11 vs Su-27: what is the difference?
The J-11 is the Chinese continuation of the Su-27SK programme, and the J-11B replaces Russian components with a Chinese WS-10A engine, radar and glass cockpit. The J-11B can also use the PL-12 and PL-15 missiles.
How fast is the J-11?
The J-11 has a top speed of about Mach 2.35 and a range of about 3,500 km. Its service ceiling is about 19,000 m.
How much does a J-11 cost?
A J-11 costs an estimated 30–40 million US dollars per aircraft. There is no official figure.
J-11B vs F-15: which is better?
The J-11B and the F-15 Eagle are fourth-generation air-superiority rivals, and neither has a clear overall edge. The F-15 has a long combat record, while the J-11B has newer Chinese weapons such as the PL-15 but no confirmed combat use.
Is the J-11 stealth?
The J-11 is not stealth. It is a Flanker-family fighter with a large radar cross-section. China’s stealth fighters are the J-20 and J-35, while the J-11 serves as a heavy air-superiority fighter.