J-12 (Jianjiji-12 Fighter aircraft 12) / F-12

Besides carrying on with the improvement of the J-8 series and the licensed production of the Su-27, the Shenyang Aircraft Company (SAC) is now engaged in preliminary research for the "No. 12" project for the development of the Chinese Air Force's main fighter aircraft for the 21st century. Also known as the "XXJ," this fifth generation PLAAF fighter, is currently projected to enter service in the 2013-2015 timeframe. The aircraft is projected to have a crew of two, is anticipated to be in same class as US F-22 fighter, probably based on significant Russian technical assistance.

The J-12 designation was apparently previously applied to a lightweight STOL fighter aircraft built at Nanchang in the late 1960s. With a first flight on 26 December 1969, reportedly somewhere between one or two and six airframes being constructed prior to the program's cancellation in 1978. Said to resemble a scaled-up MiG-15/17, it was in competition with the J-7 and J-8, though with a less robust weapon system.