Deployment

On 10 March 2003, six pre-production single-seater variant J-10s were delivered to the Flight Test & Training Centre, an experimental unit of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) located in Cangzhou, Hebei Province. Carrying serial number 60X8X, these aircraft were used for operational test and evaluation.

In August 2004, the first operational J-10 regiment was formed within the PLAAF 44th Air Division based at Mengzi, Yunnan. The regiment was equipped with about 27 J-10 fighters, including at least one J-10S two-seater fighter-trainer. These aircraft carry serial number 50X5X.

In 2005, the second operational J-10 regiment was formed within the PLAAF 3rd Air Division based at Wuhu, Anhui Province. The regiment was equipped with 25~30 J-10 fighters in both single-seater and two-seater variants. The serial numbers for these aircraft are 10X4X.

A TV report by the Chinese state media in June 2007 confirmed that the PLAAF 2nd Air Division based at Suixi, Guangdong Province now also has a J-10 regiment, possibly using serial number 10X3X.