The J-10 made its maiden flight on 23 March 1998, and entered operation in 2006. The J-10 is mainly designed for air-to-air combat, but can also perform strike missions. It features 11 hardpoints which can carry PL-8 and PL-10 infrared-homing air-to-air missiles, PL-12 and PL-15 active-radar air-to-air missiles, KD-88 air-to-ground missiles, or YJ-91 anti-radiation air-to-ground missiles as well as bombs (guided and unguided), fuel tanks, or a variety of targeting pods.
As of 2022, there have been 602+ airframes of all J-10 variants produced.
