The J-16 is a Chinese twin-seat, multirole strike fighter developed from the J-11, itself derived from the Russian Su-27. Entering service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) around 2013–2015, it combines air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, including precision strike, electronic warfare, and long-range missile deployment. The J-16 forms a key part of China’s modernized fighter fleet, complementing stealth aircraft like the J-20.