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List of active People's Liberation Army aircraft

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The following list of active People's Liberation Army aircraft is a list of military aircraft, currently in service with three branches of the People's Liberation Army. For retired aircraft, see list of historic aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

People's Liberation Army Air Force

[edit]
Further information: People's Liberation Army Air Force
Aircraft Origin Type Variants In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Xian H-6 China Strategic bomber Xi'an H-6K/H-6M 231[1][2] License built variant of the Tupolev Tu-16
Xian JH-7 China Fighter bomber JH-7A/B 79[3]
Chengdu J-7 China

Soviet Union

Fighter 271-[4] License built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variant. Phasing out of service.[5]
Shenyang J-8 China Interceptor J-8IIM 92[4] Phasing out of Service.[5]
Chengdu J-10 China Multirole fighter 565[4]
Shenyang J-11 China

Soviet Union

Air superiority fighter 225[4] License built Sukhoi Su-27 variant.
Shenyang J-16 China Multirole strike fighter 300[4]
  • J-16: 250
Chengdu J-20 China Air superiority fighter J-20A/B/S 300

[4][6]

Fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Sukhoi Su-27 Soviet Union Air superiority fighter Su-27UBK/SM3 78
  • Su-27UBK: 42
  • Su-27SM3: 36
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia Multirole strike fighter Su-30MKK/MK2 72/18
  • Su-30MKK: 72
  • Su-30MK2(Navy): 18
Sukhoi Su-35 Russia Air superiority fighter Su-35S 24

[7]

AWACS
Shaanxi KJ-200 China AEW 19[3]
Shaanxi KJ-500 China AEW 44[3]
KJ-2000 China

Russia

AEW 4[3] Chinese radar installed on an Ilyushin Il-76 airframe
Tanker
Xian Y-20 China Aerial refueling YY-20 7[3]
Ilyushin Il-78 Soviet Union Aerial refueling Il-78MP 3[3]
Transport
Xian Y-7 China

Soviet Union

Transport 48[3] License built variant of the Antonov An-24
Shaanxi Y-8 China

Soviet Union

Tactical airlifter 80[3] License built variant of the Antonov An-12
Shaanxi Y-9 China Tactical airlifter 24[3]
Xian Y-20 China Strategic airlifter 70[4]
Xian MA-60 China 16[3]
Ilyushin Il-76 Soviet Union Strategic airlifter IL-76MD 26[3]
Tupolev Tu-154 Soviet Union Transport 2[3]
Special purpose aircraft (Reconnaissance, SIGINT, Electronic warfare, Maritime patrol etc.)
Shaanxi Y-8 China

Soviet union

EW/Reconnaissance 18[3] 17 units for EW & 1 for

Reconnaissance.[3][8]

Antonov An-30 Soviet Union Electronic warfare 10[4]
Tupolev Tu-154 Soviet Union Electronic warfare 4[4]
Shenyang J-16D China Electronic warfare/SEAD 50
Bombardier Challenger 850 Canada Reconnaissance 5[8][3]
Helicopter
Changhe Z-8 China

France

transport License built Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon variant 34[3]
Harbin Z-9 China

France

Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter License built Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin variant 16[3]
Changhe Z-10 China Attack helicopter 16
Changhe Z-11 China utility helicopter 250
Airbus Helicopters H175 France Super-medium utility helicopter 50
Changhe Z-18 China Utility helicopter 200
Harbin Z-19 China Reconnaissance / attack helicopter 186+
Harbin Z-20 China Medium lift helicopter 50
Mi-8 Russia Attack helicopter 50
Mi-17 Russia Attack helicopter 16[3]
Trainer aircraft
Chengdu JJ-7/JJ-7A China conversion trainer JJ-7 200[4]
Hongdu JL-8 China jet trainer K-8 350[4]
Guizhou JL-9 China jet trainer 30[4]
Hongdu JL-10 China jet trainer 200
Xian Y-7 China multi-engine trainer 25
Guimbal Cabri G2 France rotorcraft trainer 2[9]
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Guizhou Sunshine China MALE UAV 55[10]
Chengdu Pterodactyl I China MALE UAV 250[10]
Chengdu Pterodactyl 2 China MALE UAV 1024[10] Output 470 per year 2024
Harbin Giant Eagle China MALE UAV 135[10]
Chengdu Cloud Shadow China HALE UAV 30[10]
Guizhou Soar Dragon China HALE UAV 15[10]

People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

[edit]
Further information: People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon France Rotorcraft Transport 8 [11]
Bombardier CRJ100/200 Canada Jet VIP Transport 2 [11]
Bombardier CRJ700 series Canada Jet VIP Transport 2 [11]
Changhe Z-8 China Rotorcraft Transport/SAR 31 Z-8: 9
Z-8J: 13
Z-8JH (SAR): 4
Z-8S (SAR): 5[11]
Changhe Z-18 China Rotorcraft Transport 12 Z-18: 4
Z-18 AEW: 3
Z-18F: 5 (ASW)[11]
Chengdu J-10 China Jet Multi-role 23 24 J-10A: 16
J-10S:7[11]
Eurocopter AS565 Panther France Rotorcraft Transport 7 [11]
Guizhou JL-9 China Jet Trainer 36 [11]
Harbin Y-12 China Propeller Transport 20 [11]
Harbin Z-9 China Rotorcraft Utility 25 Z-9D (MRH) 11
Z-9C (ASW)
2Z-9S (SAR): 14[11]
Hongdu JL-8 China Jet Trainer 16 [11]
Hongdu JL-10 China Jet Trainer 12 [11]
Kamov Ka-28 Russia Rotorcraft ASW 9 [11]
Kamov Ka-31 Russia Rotorcraft Airborne Early Warning 9
KJ-200 China Propeller Airborne Early Warning 6 [11]
KQ-200 China Propeller Patrol 20+ [11]
Mil Mi-8 USSR Rotorcraft Transport 8 [11]
Nanchang CJ-6 China Propeller Trainer 38 [11]
Shaanxi KJ-500 China Propeller Airborne Early Warning 14+ [11]
Shaanxi Y-8 China Propeller Transport/patrol 32 Y-8C: 3[11]
Shaanxi Y-8J China Propeller Patrol 4 [11]
Shaanxi Y-8JB China Propeller SIGINT 4 [11]
Shaanxi Y-9JZ China Propeller ELINT 8 [11]
Shenyang J-8 China Jet Fighter 24 [11]
Shenyang J11B/BS China Jet Multi-role 72 72 [11]
Shenyang J-15 China Jet Multi-role fighter 2013 60 (est) [11]
Shenyang J-15D China Jet Electronic Warfare/SEAD 2024 More than 2 [12]
Shijiazhuang Y-5 China Propeller Transport/utility 20 [11]
Sukhoi Su-30MKK Russia Jet Multi-role fighter 24 24 [11]
Xian H-6 China Jet Strategic Bomber/Patrol 45 H-6G: 27
H-6J: 18[11]
Xian HY-6U China Jet Tanker 6 [11]
Xian JH-7 China Jet Attack 120 JH-7: 48 JH-7A: 72[11]
Xian MA60 China Jet Transport 2 [11]
Xian Y-7 China Propeller Transport/trainer 8 [11]

People's Liberation Army Ground Force

[edit]
Further information: People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Xian Y-7 China Propeller Transport 2 [13]
Shaanxi Y-8 China Propeller Transport 2 [13]
Shaanxi Y-9 China Propeller Transport 2 [13]
Changhe Z-8/Changhe Z-18 China Rotorcraft Transport 135 [13]
Harbin Z-9 China Rotorcraft Utility 1994 120 (est) [13]
Changhe Z-10 China Rotorcraft Attack 2012 200 [13]
Changhe Z-11 China Rotorcraft Attack/patrol 1998 53 [13]
Harbin Z-19 China Rotorcraft Attack/patrol 2012 120+ [13]
Harbin Z-20 China Rotorcraft Utility 2019 150 (est) [13]
Mil Mi-17 USSR Rotorcraft Transport 88 [13]
Mil Mi-8/Mil Mi-171 USSR Rotorcraft Transport 140 [13]
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri France Rotorcraft Training 15 [13]
Sikorsky S-70 USA Rotorcraft Executive transport 1983 19 [13]
CH-4B China UAV CISR 5+ [13]
BZK-005 China UAV Heavy ISR [13]
BZK-009 China UAV Heavy ISR [13]
BZK-006 China UAV Medium ISR [13]
BZK-007 China UAV Medium ISR [13]
BZK-008 China UAV Medium ISR [13]


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Chinese Air Force Sure Is Buying A Lot Of Bombers". Forbes. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. ^ Dangwal, Ashish (2021-12-29). "US, China Or Russia -- Which Country Calls The Shot In The Domain Of Long-Range, Nuclear-Capable Strategic Bombers?". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Word Air Forces 2024". 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2023, p.242-43
  5. ^ a b office_zzam (2023-05-22). "Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command replaces old J-7 and J-8 aircraft". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  6. ^ Solen, Derek (January 2022). "Third Combat Brigade of PLA Air Force Likely Receives Stealth Fighters" (PDF). United States Air Force Air University. China Aerospace Studies Institute. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  7. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (2019-05-17). "Russia Completes Delivery of 24 Su-35 Fighter Jets to China". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  8. ^ a b "China 'Accelerates' Force Multipliers - AEW&C, FRA & EW Aircraft - To Fight US Military; Why India Must Act Now". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  9. ^ "World Air Forces 2021". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Rupprecht, Andreas (29 October 2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-09973092-6-3.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226. S2CID 256916955.
  12. ^ https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2024/11/01/the-chinese-navys-new-j-15d-carrier-based-electronic-warfare-aircraft-may-have-entered-service/
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 13, 2024). The Military Balance 2024 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 255–256. ISBN 978-1032780047.

Sources

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  • Hoyle, Craig; Fafard, Antoine (10–16 December 2019). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 196, no. 5715. pp. 26–54. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • The International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-01227-8.
  • The International Institute for Strategic Studies (2022). The Military Balance 2022. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
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