The first aircraft were delivered to the 13th Test Regiment on 23 February 2003.
The aircraft was declared 'operational' in December of the same year, after 18 years in development.
The first operational regiment was the 131st Regiment of the 44th Division.

The J-10C entered combat service in April 2018.
The first aircraft were delivered to the 13th Test Regiment on 23 February 2003. The aircraft was declared 'operational' in December of the same year, after 18 years in development. The first operational regiment was the 131st Regiment of the 44th Division.
The J-10C entered combat service in April 2018.
Chengdu J-10