Flag of the People's Liberation Army Air Force

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) (Simplified Chinese: 中国人民解放军空军; Traditional Chinese: 中國人民解放軍空軍; Pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Kōngjūn) is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China. It currently consists of approximately 250,000 personnel and 2300 combat aircraft,^[1] making the PLAAF the largest air force in Asia and the third largest in the world. Image File history File links Air_Force_Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Traditional Chinese characters refers to one of two standard sets of printed Chinese characters. ... Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), commonly called Pinyin, is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... Aviation refers to flying using aircraft, machines designed by humans for atmospheric flight. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

History

Military of the People's Republic of China

Leadership Supreme Military Command Central Military Commission Military budget of the People's Republic of China People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army Ground Force People's Liberation Army Navy People's Liberation Army Air Force Second Artillery Corps Sub-Branches People's Liberation Army Airborne Corps People's Liberation Army Marine Corps People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces People's Armed Police People's Armed Police Special Police Unit Snow Wolf Commando Unit People's Republic of China's Militia PRC's Militia Regional Administration Shenyang Military Region Beijing Military Region Lanzhou Military Region Jinan Military Region Nanjing Military Region Guangzhou Military Region Chengdu Military Region PLA Hong Kong Garrison Personnel PRC Army ranks PRC Navy ranks PRC Air forces ranks Facilities PLA National Defense University PLA Air forces Airbases Awards and Decorations PLA Military Merit Medal Medal of the Army History Military history of China History of the People's Liberation Army Naval history of China This box: view • talk • edit

Although the Chinese Red Army (PLA's predecessor) had operated a few aircraft since the Second Sino-Japanese War, the first organized air arm of the PLA was the Nanyuan Flying Group, formed in the summer of 1949 with about 40 ex-Nationalist aircraft, responsible for the air defence of the soon-to-be capital city of Beijing, China. Since the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, the Military of the Peoples Republic of China has grown to include the active and reserve forces of the Peoples Liberation Army, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy, the Peoples Armed Police and the Militia... Image File history File links National_emblem_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China. ... Throughout the history of the Peoples Republic of China, the position that effectively reigned as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces changed from time to time. ... The Central Military Commission (Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ) refers to one of two bodies within the Peoples Republic of China, either to the Central Military Commission of the Peoples Republic of China, a state organ, or the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party, a party organ. ... The military budget of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is the portion of the overall budget of China that is allocated for the funding of the military of the Peoples Republic of China. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Ground Forces of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) deploys over 8,000 tanks, 4,000 armored vehicles, and 25,000 artillery pieces. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... The PLA Air Force 15th Airborne Corps, Guangzhou MR, is comprised of three airborne divisions (43rd, 44th, 45th airborne divisions). ... The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps is the amphibious warfare branch of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy. ... The Peoples Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) (解放军海军航空兵; pinyin: JiÄ›fàng JÅ«n HÇŽijÅ«n HángkōngbÄ«ng) is the naval aviation branch of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy. ... Peoples Liberation Army Special Operations Forces is the sub-branch of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Ground Force that specialises in rapid reaction combat in a limited regional war under high-tech conditions. ... The Peoples Armed Police Force (Abbreviation: PAP; Simplified Chinese: 人民武装警察部队; pinyin: Renmin wuzhuang jingcha budui) is a paramilitary police force primarily responsible for law enforcement within the Peoples Republic of China. ... Special Police Units (Abbreviation: SPU; Simplified Chinese: 特警队) are SWAT units of the Chinese Peoples Armed Police at the provincial and municipial level. ... The Snow Wolf Commando Unit (Abbreviation: SWCU; Simplified Chinese: 雪狼突击队) is a special police unit of the Peoples Republic of China (P.R.C.) tasked with counter-terrorism, riot control, and other special tasks such as anti-hijacking, and bomb disposal. ... Lebanese Kataeb militia A Militia is an organization of citizens to provide defense, emergency or paramilitary service, or those engaged in such activity. ... The Shenyang Military Region is one of seven military regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The Beijing Military Region is one of seven military regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The Lanzhou Military Region is one of seven military regions in the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Jinan Military Region is a military administrative command located in the east of the Peoples Republic of China, covering the Shandong and Henan Provinces, which also form military districts. ... The Nanjing Military Region is one of seven military command regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The Guangzhou Military Region is a military administrative region located in the south of the Peoples Republic of China, covering Guangdong Province, Guangxi Autonomous Region, Hunan Province, Hubei Province, Hainan Province, Hong Kong, and Macao (Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan Military Districts and the Hong Kong and Macao... The Chengdu Military Region is a military administrative command located in the southwest of the Peoples Republic of China, covering Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and the Xizang/Tibet Autonomous Region. ... The Hong Kong Garrison of the Peoples Liberation Army entering Hong Kong for the first time in 1997. ... The following graph presents the images, names, transliterations and equivalent ranks in the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The following graph presents the images, names, transliterations and equivalent ranks in the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy. ... The following graph presents the images, names, transliterations and equivalent ranks in the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The PLA National Defense University is the PLAs highest level school for military education, located in Beijing under the leadership of PLA Central Committee. ... // Beijing-Capital Airbase ( ) Beijing Shahezhen Airbase ( ) Beijing Tongxian Airbase ( ) Beijing Xiqiao Airbase ( ) Datong Airbase ( ) Fengning Airbase ( ) Hohhot Airbase ( ) Huarien Airbase ( ) Liangxiangzhen Airbase ( ) Nanyuan Airbase ( ) Tangguantun Airbase ( ) Tangshan Airbase ( ) Wenshui Airbase ( ) Yangcun Airbase (Meichong) ( ) Yongning Airbase ( ) Zhangguizhuang Airbase / Tianjin Binhai Int ( ) Zhangjiakou Airbase ( ) Zunhua Airbase ( ) Chengdu Airbase ( ) Baoshan Airport ( ) Bandga Chudra... The Military Merit Medal is a military award of the Peoples Liberation Army of China. ... The Medal of the Army is a military award of the Peoples Liberation Army. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... PLA flag The History of the Peoples Liberation Army is that of the military of mainland China. ... There was archieve dating back very early about the ancient navy of China. ... Combatants China Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Mao Zedong, Peng Dehuai Hirohito, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata, Toshizo Nishio, Yasuji Okamura, Umezu Yoshijiro, Fumimaro Konoe Strength 58,600,000 4,100,000... Beijing (Chinese: 北京; pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ;  ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ...

The People's Liberation Army Air Force itself was founded on November 11, 1949, shortly after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. At the beginning it relied heavily on Soviet help and was armed with Soviet aircraft. Within 6 years, the PLAAF began manufacturing its own aircraft, but initially these were copies of Soviet types. The first of them was the J-2, corresponding to the MiG-15. Some western observers refer to the upgraded MiG-15bis variant as J-4, but PLAAF never used "J-4" aircraft designation. November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Soviet redirects here. ... J-2 has two meanings in aerospace: Chinas designation for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 J-2 (rocket engine) used in Project Apollo This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (NATO reporting name Fagot) was a jet fighter developed for the USSR. History Design began under the bureau designation I-310, which first flew in 1947. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (NATO reporting name Fagot) was a jet fighter developed for the USSR. A two-seat MiG-15 (MiG-15UB) History When Soviet forces overran Berlin in 1945 they were able to confiscate plans for the Focke-Wulf Ta 183 jet fighter. ...

Soviet involvement also extended to training combat pilots. Those took part to some degree in the Korean War, where Chinese pilots along with their Russian counterparts often engaged American aircraft in combat. This increased cooperation between the two Communist nations also allowed the Chinese to begin building their own versions of the MiG-17 and MiG-19: the J-5 and J-6. Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... Look up aircraft in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A map of countries who declared themselves to be socialist states under the Marxist-Leninist or Maoist definition (in other words, Communist states) at some point in their history. ... MiG-17 at the Central Texas Airshow, USA, May 2003. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer) is a third-generation Soviet, single-seater jet engined fighter aircraft. ... J-5 of the PLAAF The J-5 or F-5, not to be confused with the American-made F-5 Freedom Fighter, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Russian MiG-17. ... An F-6 of the Pakistan Air Force The Shenyang J-6 (designated F-6 for export versions) was the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 fighter aircraft. ...

The 1960s proved to be a difficult period for the PLAAF. This was due to the break in relations with the Soviet Union, and as a consequence the Chinese aircraft industry almost collapsed. The outbreak of the Vietnam War helped it to recover, though, as the PRC government began providing the forces of North Vietnam with J-2s, J-5s, and some J-6s. The 1960s also saw the first indigenous Chinese designs, namely the J-8. The Sino-Soviet split was a major diplomatic conflict between the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), beginning in the late 1950s, reaching a peak in 1969 and continuing in various ways until the late 1980s. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the... J-8IIM J-8 or Jian-8 (NATO reporting name Finback) is a Peoples Republic of China-built fighter aircraft. ...

Although the PLAAF received significant support from Western nations in the 1980s when China was seen as a counterweight to Soviet power, this support ended in 1989 as a result of the Chinese crackdown on the Tiananmen protests of 1989 and the later collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ironically, China's former foe, Russia, became its principal arms supplier to the effect that Chinese economic growth allowed Russia to sustain its aerospace industry. The Unknown Rebel — This famous photo, taken by Associated Press photographer Jeff Widener, depicts a lone protester who single-handedly halted the progress of a column of advancing tanks for over half an hour. ...

Between the Vietnam War and the early 1990s, the PLAAF's flying consisted mostly of large numbers of near-obsolete Soviet planes. The main mission scenario under consideration by the PLAAF during this time was to support the PLA in defending China against a massive Soviet tank invasion. Under the doctrine of People's War, Chinese air strategy involved large numbers of short-range low-technology fighters. This mix of forces would not have stood up well to the Republic of China Air Force, which had fewer but much more modern planes such as the F-16 and Mirage 2000. The acronym PLA may mean: Palestine Liberation Army Peoples Liberation Army of the Peoples Republic of China, the worlds largest military. ... Peoples war (also called protracted peoples war) is a military-political strategy invented by Mao Zedong. ... The Republic of China Air Force (中華民國空軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Kōngjūn) is the aviation branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and is often viewed as one of the most professional and capable branches of the Republic of Chinas armed forces. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... A Mirage 2000 of the Indian Air Force The Mirage 2000 is a French-built multi-role fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. ...

Modernisation Programme

In the early 1990s, the PLAAF began a program of modernisation, motivated by the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as the possibility of military conflict with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and perhaps also involving the United States. This process began with the acquisition of Su-27s in the early 1990s and the development of various fourth-generation aircraft, including the domestic J-10, and the JF-17 in collaboration with Pakistan. The PLAAF also strived to improve its pilot training and continued to retire obsolete aircraft. This resulted in a reduction of the overall number of aircraft in the PLAAF with a concurrent increase in quality of its air fleet. Motto none Anthem National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (formerly and de jure Nanking) Largest city Taipei Official languages Standard Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  -  President Chen Shui-bian  -  Vice President Annette Lu  -  Premier Chang Chun-hsiung Establishment Xinhai Revolution   -  Independence declared October 10, 1911... The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the Peoples Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). ... The J-9 is also known as the FC-1 or JF-17 is a third generation fighter jet being developed jointly by the Peoples Republic of China and Pakistan. ...

The 21st century has seen the continuation of the modernisation programme with China's huge economic growth. It acquired 76 Su-30MKK's from 2000 to 2003, and 24 upgraded Su-30MKK2's in 2004. It also produced around 100 J-11s from 2002 onwards and bought 3 batches (at a total of 76) of the Su-27SK/UBK. Production of the J-10 fighter began in 2002. The PLAAF also began developing its own tanker aircraft, which it previously lacked, by modifying old Soviet planes such as the Tu-16 Badger (in China known as the H-6). In 2005 it announced plans to buy approximately 30 IL-76 transport planes and eight Il-78 tanker planes from Russia, which would greatly increase its troop airlift capability and offer extended range to many aircraft. The Su-30 MKK (Russian: Mnogofunktzionniy Kommercheskiy Kitayski; Multifunctional Commercial for China) is a modification of the Su-27 SK manufactured since 1999 by KNAAPO, JSC. KNAAPO stands for Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, Joint Stock Company. ... Sukhoi-30 (Nato: Flanker-C) The Sukhoi Su-30 is a military aircraft that was produced by the Russian company Sukhoi in 1996. ... The Shenyang J-11 is an advanced fighter in the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the Peoples Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). ... A tanker is an aircraft used for in-flight refuelling. ... The Tupolev Tu-16 (NATO codename: Badger) was a twin-engine jet bomber used by the Soviet Union. ... An Il-76 serving Aeroflot The Ilyushin Il-76, NATO codename Candid, is a 4-engined heavy transport aircraft in widespread use in eastern Europe and Africa. ... The Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name Midas) is a four-engined inflight refuelling tanker based on the Il-76. ...

The current goal is to have a mostly fourth-generation air force (with integrated C4ISR systems for increased battle effectiveness), giving it an advantage over the older fourth-generation aircraft of the Republic of China, even though the ROCAF has been attempting to purchase F-16 C/D block fighters to help replace its older F-5s. The PLAAF is also developing its own fifth-generation fighter, the J-XX, as a possible counter to late generation Western fighters; however it is still under development. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. ... The F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family of widely used light supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the United States, beginning in 1960s. ... According to the reports of the Janes Defence Weekly, China has already launched its next generation stealth aircraft fighter programme, and Shenyang Aircraft Industry Co. ...

Organization

• Headquarters Air Force (HqAF)

The HqAF consists of four departments: Command, Political, Logistic, and Equipment, which mirrors the four general departments of the PLA.

• Military region air forces (MRAF)
  • Division (Fighter, Attack, Bomber)
    • Regiment
      • Squadron

The PLAAF typically uses the system of threes in its organisation at Division level and below, i.e. 3 Regiments per Division, 3 Squadrons per Regiment, and so on. There are also Independent Regiments within the MRAFs. There are also two Airborne Corps (the 15th Airborne Corps, and the 16th) under direct control of HqPLAAF. The PLA Air Force 15th Airborne Corps, Guangzhou MR, is comprised of three airborne divisions (43rd, 44th, 45th airborne divisions). ...

PLAAF Order of Battle An order of battle (often abbreviated as ORBAT, OOB, or OB) is an organizational tool used by military intelligence to list and analyze enemy military units. ...

• Beijing Military Region
  • 7th Fighter Division
  • 15th Fighter Division
  • 24th Fighter Division
  • 34th Transport Division
• Chengdu Military Region
  • 33rd Fighter Division
  • 44th Fighter Division
• Guangzhou Military Region
  • 2nd Independent Regiment
  • 2nd Fighter Division
  • 8th Bomber Division
  • 9th Fighter Division
  • 13th Transport Division
  • 18th Fighter Division
  • 35th Fighter Division
  • 42nd Fighter Division
• Jinan Military Region
  • 1st Independent Regiment
  • 5th Attack Division
  • 12th Fighter Division
  • 19th Fighter Division
  • 31st Fighter Division
• Lanzhou Military Region
  • 6th Fighter Division
  • 36th Bomber Division
  • 37th Fighter Division
• Nanjing Military Region
  • 3rd Independent Regiment
  • 3rd Fighter Division
  • 10th Bomber Division
  • 14th Fighter Division
  • 26th Fighter Division
  • 28th Attack Division
  • 29th Fighter Division
• Shenyang Military Region
  • 1st Fighter Division
  • 4th Independent Regiment
  • 4th Fighter Division
  • 11th Attack Division
  • 21st Fighter Division
  • 22nd Attack Division
  • 30th Fighter Division
  • 39th Fighter Division
• People's Liberation Army
  • 15th Airborne Corps
  • 16th Airborne Corps
  • 43rd Airborne Division
  • 44th Airborne Division
  • 45th Airborne Division

The Beijing Military Region is one of seven military regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The 7th Fighter Division is a unit of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The 15th Fighter Division is a unit of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The 24th Fighter Division is a unit of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The 34th Transport Division is a unit of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The Chengdu Military Region is a military administrative command located in the southwest of the Peoples Republic of China, covering Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and the Xizang/Tibet Autonomous Region. ... The Guangzhou Military Region is a military administrative region located in the south of the Peoples Republic of China, covering Guangdong Province, Guangxi Autonomous Region, Hunan Province, Hubei Province, Hainan Province, Hong Kong, and Macao (Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan Military Districts and the Hong Kong and Macao... The Jinan Military Region is a military administrative command located in the east of the Peoples Republic of China, covering the Shandong and Henan Provinces, which also form military districts. ... The Lanzhou Military Region is one of seven military regions in the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Nanjing Military Region is one of seven military command regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The Shenyang Military Region is one of seven military regions for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The 1st Fighter Division is a unit of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Active Aircraft inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[2][3]	Notes
Bombardier Challenger 600	Canada	VIP Transport	CL 601	12
Changhe Z-8	China/  France	Transport Helicopter		15	A license produced version of the SA 321 Super Frelon
Changhe Z-11	China	Utility Helicopter		20	Based on Eurocopter Ecureuil
Chengdu J-7	China	Air-Superiority Fighter	J-7I J-7II J-7D/E JJ-7	500+	version of the MiG-21 [1]
Chengdu J-10	China	Multirole Fighter		100	4.5-generation domestic (up to 100 in service according to aviation weekly)
Chengdu JF-17 Thunder	China  Pakistan	Multirole Fighter		4	Serial production beginning; 4-generation fighter jointly-produced by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) and Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC), currently under development. [2]
Eurocopter Cougar	France	Transport Helicopter	AS 332	6
Harbin WZ-9	China	Attack Helicopter		50+	Armed version Z-9 in service.
Harbin Y-11	China	Transport		15
Harbin Y-12	China	Transport		2
Hongdu JL-8	China  Pakistan	Trainer	K-8	30	sold as K-8 Karakorum to Pakistan
Ilyushin Il-76	Russia	Transport		14	PLAAF imported a number of Ilyushin Il-76MD medium-range transport, and the Il-78 tankers in 1990s & 2005. (Modern) [3] (14 in service + 30 to be delivered)
Mil Mi-8	Russia	Transport Helicopter		20
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport Helicopter		200	Imported from Russia
Nanchang CJ-6	China	Trainer		400+
Nanchang Q-5	China	Attack		500	ground attack aircraft developed from the MiG-19 [4] (Cold war)
Shaanxi Y-8	China	Transport		80+	Copy of the Russian An-12 (Cold War) [5] (80+ in service) Many versions for special missions in service.
Shenyang J-8	China	Air-Superiority Fighter		300	indigenous 3rd generation fighter [6]
Shenyang J-11	China  Russia	Air-Superiority Fighter		96	version of the Su-27 [7] (200 Licensed,up to 100 have currently been assembled and on duty)
Shijiazhuang Y-5	China	Utility Transport		300	Licensed copy of Russian Antonov An-2, made since 1950s. Light utility/transport aircraft mostly on reserve [8] (Cold War)
Sikorsky S-70	United States	Transport Helicopter	S-70C	24
Sukhoi Su-27	Russia	Air-Superiority Fighter Conversion Trainer	Su-27SK Su-27UBK	76	34 Su-27SK and 42 Su-27UBK[9]
Sukhoi Su-30	Russia	Multirole Fighter	Su-30MKK Su-30MK2	100	76 Su-30MKK and 24 Su-30MK2
Tupolev Tu-154	Russia	VIP Transport	Tu-154M	16	Some converted for electronic warfare
Xian JH-7	China	Fighter-Bomber	JH-7A	70
Xian H-6	China	Medium Bomber	H-6 HY-6	120	version of the Tu-16 Badger [10]
Xian Y-7	China	Transport		23	Copy of the Russian An-24, Y-7H based on An-26 (Cold War) [11]
Z-9	China	Transport		~200
SA 342	France	Attack		8

Many of the main types of PLAAF aircraft have been specially modified and carry no clear distinct designation. The following types of modifications have been reported: The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business jets designed by Bill Lear and produced first by Canadair until that company was bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1986. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Aérospatiale Super Frelon was a heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France, now out of production except in China as Z-8. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Z-11 is a light utility helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Eurocopter Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... J-7H belonging to the PLAAF Flight Test & Training Centre based at Cangzhou AFB, Hebei Province The Chengdu Jian-7 (export versions F-7) is a Peoples Republic of China-built fighter jet derived from the Russian MiG-21. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... The Chengdu J-10 (歼十, Jiān 10) [1] is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the Peoples Republic of Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon（枭龙） [1] in China, is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft co-developed by Pakistan and China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group is a Chinese aerospace company with business in building fighters and aircraft parts manufacturer. ... AS 532 Cougar The Eurocopter Cougar is a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Harbin Y-11 is a high wing twin-engine piston utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Harbin Y-12 is a high wing twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8) is a two-seat trainer aircraft built by joint-cooperation between Pakistan and the Peoples Republic of China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8) is a two-seat trainer aircraft built by joint-cooperation between Pakistan and the Peoples Republic of China. ... Ilyushin Il-76T An Indian Air Force IL-76 in Hawaii, with IAF and US personnel. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name Midas) is a four-engined inflight refuelling tanker based on the Il-76. ... The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Mil Mi-17 The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... // History The Nanchang CJ-6 an aircraft designed and built in China for use by the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a basic and advanced trainer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Nanchang Q-5 (NATO reporting name Fantan), also known as the A-5 in its export versions, is a Chinese-built jet ground attack aircraft based on the Soviet MiG-19. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer) is a third-generation Soviet, single-seater jet engined fighter aircraft. ... Shaanxi Y-8 The Shaanxi Y-8 (Yun-8) aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Russian Antonov An-12. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Antonov An-12 landing The Antonov An-12 (NATO reporting name: Cub) is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft. ... A J-8IIM on the airstrip. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Shenyang J-11 is an advanced fighter in the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... The Antonov An-2 (Russian nickname: кукуру́зник kukuruznik - a kolkhoz maize worker (inherited from Polikarpov Po-2) also nicknamed Annushka; NATO code name Colt) is an extremely durable, light, single-engine biplane which first flew in 1947. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Antonov An-2. ... The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium-lift military helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (Су-27 in the Cyrillic alphabet) (NATO reporting name Flanker) is originally a Soviet fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... The Sukhoi Su-30 (NATO reporting name Flanker-C) is an agile military aircraft developed by Russias Sukhoi Aviation Corporation and introduced into operational service in 1996. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Su-30 MKK (Russian: Mnogofunktzionniy Kommercheskiy Kitayski; Multifunctional Commercial for China) is a modification of the Su-27 SK manufactured since 1999 by KNAAPO, JSC. KNAAPO stands for Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, Joint Stock Company. ... The Su-30 MKK (Russian: Mnogofunktzionniy Kommercheskiy Kitayski; Multifunctional Commercial for China) is a modification of the Su-27 SK manufactured since 1999 by KNAAPO, JSC. KNAAPO stands for Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, Joint Stock Company. ... The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name: Careless) is a Russian medium-range trijet airliner, equivalent to the Boeing 727. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The Xian JH-7 (Jian Hong-7; NATO reporting name Flounder[1]), also known as the FBC-1 (Fighter/Bomber China-1)Flying Leopard, is a two-seater (tandem), twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the Peoples Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF), and possibly the Peoples... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Xian H-6 is a license-built[1] copy of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Tupolev Tu-16 (NATO codename: Badger) was a twin-engine jet bomber used by the Soviet Union. ... The Antonov An-24 (NATO reporting name: Coke) is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport manufactured in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine) by the Antonov Design Bureau. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport manufactured in Russia by The Antonov Design bureau. ... The Antonov An-26 (NATO reporting name: Curl) is a 2-engined light prop transport aircraft and is a development of the An-24. ... The Z-9 is a Chinese military utility helicopter. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... This article is about the helicopter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

• Harbin H-5: A number of these older aircraft had been modified as HD-5 aircraft and operated with electronic countermeasures suites. They are being phased out.
• Ilyushin Il-76: One of the many platforms which the Chinese have attempted to use for an airborne early warning aircraft under the KJ-2000 program.
• Shaanxi Y-8: A large number of trials and programs have made use of this utilitarian airframe:
  • A few have been modified for electronic countermeasures as a replacement for the Harbin HD-5 being phased out.
  • 2 or more have been given a ventral canoe housing an electronic support measures array beneath the forward fuselage, as well as a farm of antennae on the loading ramp.
  • 2 have been included in the KJ-200 airborne early warning program.
  • 2 have been modified similarly to the KJ-200 program for air surveillance and command.
  • Some have been given the British Marconi Electronic Systems Argus-2000 airborne early warning system
  • 4 have been modified as maritime patrol aircraft
  • 2 have been modified for electronic intelligence gathering, with a variety of electronic equipment.
  • 1 has been modified as an airborne command post, recognizable by a farm of antennae above the cockpit.
  • 1 is being tested with cheek mounted radar for battlefield surveillance.
  • 1 is operated as a radar test bed, nominally in civil guise.
  • 1 is operated as an avionics test bed, nominally in civil guise.
  • Some of the Y-8 aircraft in service are of the recent Y-8-F600 modernized variant.
• Shenyang J-5: While the MiG-17 and the locally built derivative, the J-5, have been retired from PLAAF service, some have been converted to drones and UAVs for various purposes.[12]
• Tupolev Tu-154: Two or more of these airliners have had three bulges built underneath their fuselages for use in the electronic support measures role. Another handful have been modified for electronic intelligence gathering.
• Xian Y-7: At least one was modified for maritime patrol work under the name Fearless Albatross and participated in the 2nd half of the joint Sino-USA maritime search and rescue exercise held near Chinese coast. Another example is operated by the government as an avionics testbed in civil guise. A few may also have been modified as training aircraft.

China continues to develop its aircraft technology, and while few details are available regarding aircraft development programs, some reported efforts include: The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force and was the USSRs first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. ... Ilyushin Il-76T An Indian Air Force IL-76 in Hawaii, with IAF and US personnel. ... Shaanxi Y-8 The Shaanxi Y-8 (Yun-8) aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Russian Antonov An-12. ... The General Electric Company plc (GEC) is a British company that was renamed Marconi plc on November 30, 1999 after its defence unit Marconi Electronic Systems was divested and sold to British Aerospace. ... J-5 of the PLAAF The J-5 or F-5, not to be confused with the American-made F-5 Freedom Fighter, is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft derived from the Russian MiG-17. ... The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name: Careless) is a Russian medium-range trijet airliner, equivalent to the Boeing 727. ... The Antonov An-24 (NATO reporting name: Coke) is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport manufactured in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine) by the Antonov Design Bureau. ...

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[2]	Notes
J-XX	China	Fighter			Western designation for a fifth-generation fighter supposedly under development by SAC (producer of J-11)
JL-9	China	Trainer			also known as FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle, a modernized 2-seat JJ-7 trainer based on the MiG-21U (Upgraded) [13]
L-15	China	Trainer			Advanced Lead-In Trainer (LIFT) (Modern) [14]
Changhe WZ-10	China	Attack Helicopter	(Number in service unknown)
Y-9	China	Multi-purpose Transport			(Under Development) [15]

According to the reports of the Janes Defence Weekly, China has already launched its next generation stealth aircraft fighter programme, and Shenyang Aircraft Industry Co. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Shengyang Aircraft Corporation is a Chinese civilian and military aircraft manufacturer and was founded in 1953. ... The Shenyang J-11 is an advanced fighter in the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The L-15 Falcon prototype landing after its maiden flight. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ...

Gallery of images

Shenyang J-8 Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 464 pixelsFull resolution (3000 × 1739 pixel, file size: 423 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (Uploaded using CommonsHelper or PushForCommons) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A J-8IIM on the airstrip. ...

Sukhoi Su-27 Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 483 pixelsFull resolution (2500 × 1508 pixel, file size: 761 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A Chinese Su-27 Flanker fighter makes a fly by while the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (Су-27 in the Cyrillic alphabet) (NATO reporting name Flanker) is originally a Soviet fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ...

Chengdu J-10 Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Chengdu J-10 (歼十, Jiān 10) [1] is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the Peoples Republic of Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). ...

Markings

PLAAF Insignia

The markings of the PLAAF are a red star in front of a red band, it is slightly similar to the insignia of the United States Air Force. The Red star contains the Chinese characters for eight and one, representing August 1, 1927, the date of the formation of the PLA. PLAAF aircraft carry these markings on the fins as well. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... Japanese name Kanji: Kana: Korean name Hangul: Hanja: Vietnamese name Quoc Ngu: Hantu: A Chinese character (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ) is a logogram used in writing Chinese, Japanese, sometimes Korean, and formerly Vietnamese. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Citations

See also

• List of air forces
• List of Airbases in the PLAAF
• Ranks of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
• Republic of China Air Force
• Notable PLAAF Defections
• List of Chinese aircrafts
• List of Chinese aircraft engines

This is a list of air forces, sorted alphabetically by country, followed by a list of former countries air forces. ... // Beijing-Capital Airbase ( ) Beijing Shahezhen Airbase ( ) Beijing Tongxian Airbase ( ) Beijing Xiqiao Airbase ( ) Datong Airbase ( ) Fengning Airbase ( ) Hohhot Airbase ( ) Huarien Airbase ( ) Liangxiangzhen Airbase ( ) Nanyuan Airbase ( ) Tangguantun Airbase ( ) Tangshan Airbase ( ) Wenshui Airbase ( ) Yangcun Airbase (Meichong) ( ) Yongning Airbase ( ) Zhangguizhuang Airbase / Tianjin Binhai Int ( ) Zhangjiakou Airbase ( ) Zunhua Airbase ( ) Chengdu Airbase ( ) Baoshan Airport ( ) Bandga Chudra... The following graph presents the images, names, transliterations and equivalent ranks in the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. ... The Republic of China Air Force (中華民國空軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Kōngjūn) is the aviation branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and is often viewed as one of the most professional and capable branches of the Republic of Chinas armed forces. ... On March 5, 1953 Polish Lt. ... Aircraft produced by the Peoples Republic of China. ... Aircraft engines produced by the Peoples Republic of China. ...

External links

• Articles on the Chinese military, from Sinodefence.com
• Chinese Air Power
• PLAAF Aircraft Numbering System
• Website Dedicated to FC-1 Fierce Dragon
• Regional Capability Growth on APA
• The Sleeping Giant Awakens (Australian Aviation)
• PLA Airbase Page on APA
• PLA idag-PLAAF (Swedish)

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