Between 2007 and 2009, China attempted to purchase Russian Su-33s, but the negotiations reached an impasse due to the small order size and concerns about the reappropriation of technology, as had previously occurred with the J-11B. However, China was able to obtain the T-10K-03, a Soviet-era prototype of the Su-33, from Ukraine, from which the J-15 is purported to have been reverse-engineered. Testing of the J-15 began in 2009, and the first take-off and landing from an aircraft carrier took place in September 2012. The first 24 J-15s were operational with the PLANAF by the end of 2013.

The introduction of new aircraft carriers into the PLAN's arsenal created a need for an aircraft adapted to a different take-off method. To this end, a new variant of the J-15 was developed. In 2016, the new aircraft began test flights using land-based catapult systems. In December 2021, the aircraft was officially unveiled as the J-15T. Its key feature is the ability to operate from both ski-jump carriers and carriers equipped with catapults. The J-15T also underwent a major upgrade of its onboard avionics. In November 2022, Chinese media first reported on the production model of the J-15 equipped with WS-10 engines. The J-15T is expected to replace earlier J-15 variants by the late 2020s.

The J-15T was introduced in Update 2.55 "Ninth Wave". It inherits all the strengths of the J-11B, including excellent manoeuvrability and a large arsenal of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. It received a new radar and PL-12A missiles. For mixed battles, its arsenal was expanded to include 500 kg IR-guided bombs and KD-88 missiles. Drawbacks include its size and weight, which limit its performance compared to lighter Western fighters.