The J-15 may not match the Super Hornet's internal electronics, sensors, or multirole flexibility. Maximum sophistication was still a poor first design objective. Carrier landings repeatedly shock every onboard system and expose weaknesses that a new design culture has not yet learned to anticipate. The likely choice was between pushing electronics to the edge of China's abilities and fielding an aircraft that would keep working at sea. For a first operational generation, dependable service offered the stronger foundation for later improvements.
Notable Point · 34:49-36:08
Why a first carrier fighter may favor reliability
A first carrier-fighter program has strong reasons to prioritize dependable operation under repeated landing shocks over the most ambitious sensors and electronics.