Armed Hongdu L-15 seen flying for the first time | IHS Jane's 360

Hongdu's 65th anniversary video also provided an indication that a long-rumoured carrier-capable version of the L-15/JL-10 will be developed to support PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF) carrier-based pilot training.

It featured performers dressed as ground crew doing the 'carrier style' dance that became popular in China when the PLANAF began carrier flights with J-15 aircraft in 2012.

The PLANAF is already using the arresting wire-equipped Guizhou JL-9H for carrier training. However, it is possible this single-engine aircraft will be employed just for ground-based carrier pilot training, while the two-engine JL-10 is used to perform introductory carrier-based training.