People's Liberation Army Air Force

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China. According to the IISS Military Balance, the PLAAF currently consists of approximately 330,000 personnel and 2,500+ aircraft of which 1,617 are combat aircraft (1200+ fighters and of those, ~400 are 4th generation or newer), making the PLAAF the largest air force in Asia, and the third largest in the world behind the United States Air Force and the Russian Air Force. These figures do not include PLA Naval Aviation which has 26,000 personnel and 570 aircraft (290 combat aircraft).

History
Although the Eighth Route 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.

The Soviet Union helped found the Air Force on November 11, 1949, shortly after the establishment of the People's Republic, and began to provide aircraft in late 1951. Production technology came two years later. Soviet involvement also extended to training combat pilots. Soviet instructors trained the new pilots in Soviet tactics. Those new PLAAF pilots took part to some degree in the Korean War, where they along with their Soviet counterparts often engaged American aircraft in combat.

By 1956 China was assembling its own aircraft, but initially these were copies of Soviet types. The first of them was the J-2 (MiG-15); some western observers referred to the upgraded MiG-15bis variant as J-4, but the PLAAF never used the "J-4" aircraft designation. By 1958, increased cooperation with the Soviets allowed China to produce both the J-5 (MiG-17) and the J-6 (MiG-19) manufactured under license.

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 of the withdrawal of Soviet aid in 1960 the Chinese aircraft industry almost collapsed. The industry declined markedly through 1963, further hindered by the high priority accorded to the competing missile and nuclear weapons program. The aircraft industry began to recover in about 1965, as China began providing the forces of North Vietnam with J-2s, J-4s, J-5s, and some J-6s on the onset of the Vietnam War. The 1960s also saw the first indigenous Chinese design, namely the J-8.

The PLA Air Force underwent reorganization and streamlining as part of the reduction in force begun in 1985. Before the 1985 reorganization, the Air Force reportedly had four branches: air defense, ground attack, bombing, and independent air regiments. In peacetime the Air Force Directorate, under the supervision of the PLA General Staff Department, controlled the Air Force through air army headquarters located with, or in communication with, each of the seven military region headquarters. In war, control of the Air Force probably reverted to the regional commanders. In 1987 it was not clear how the reorganization and the incorporation of air support elements into the group armies affected air force organization. The largest Air Force organizational unit was the division, which consisted of 17,000 personnel in three regiments. A typical air defense regiment had three squadrons of three flights; each flight had three or four aircraft. The Air Force also had 220,000 air defense personnel who controlled about 100 surface-to-air missile sites and over 16,000 antiaircraft guns. In addition, it had a large number of early-warning, ground-control-intercept, and air-base radars manned by specialized troops organized into at least twenty-two independent regiments.

In the 1980s the Air Force made serious efforts to raise the educational level and improve the training of its pilots. Superannuated pilots were retired or assigned to other duties. All new pilots were at least middle-school graduates. The time it took to train a qualified pilot capable of performing combat missions reportedly was reduced from four or five years to two years. Training emphasized raising technical and tactical skills in individual pilots and participation in combined-arms operations. Flight safety also increased.

In 1987 the Air Force had serious technological deficiencies — especially when compared with its principal threat, the Soviet Union — and had many needs that it could not satisfy. It needed more advanced aircraft, better avionics, electronic countermeasures equipment, more powerful aircraft weaponry, a low-altitude surface-to-air missile, and better controlled antiaircraft artillery guns. Some progress was made in aircraft design with the incorporation of Western avionics into the F-7 (MiG-21) and F-8, the development of refueling capabilities for the B-6D bomber and the A-5 attack fighter, increased aircraft all-weather capabilities, and the production of the HQ-2J high-altitude surface-to-air missile and the C-601 air-to-ship missile.

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, while the Soviet Union was China's former foe, after the fall of the USSR, Russia became China's principal arms supplier to the effect that Chinese economic growth allowed Russia to sustain its aerospace industry.

Between the Vietnam War and the early 1990s, the PLAAF's air fleet 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.

Modernization program
In the late 1980s, the primary mission of the PLAAF was the defense of the mainland, and most aircraft were assigned to this role. A smaller number of ground attack and bomber units were assigned to interdiction and possibly close air support, and some bomber units could be used for nuclear delivery. The force had only limited military airlift and reconnaissance capabilities.

In the early 1990s, the PLAAF began a program of modernization, 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 strove 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.

The 21st century has seen the continuation of the modernization program with China's huge economic growth. It acquired 76 Su-30MKK's from 2000 to 2003, and 24 upgraded Su-30MK2'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 with an estimated 100 aircraft in service currently. The PLAAF also began developing its own tanker aircraft, which it previously lacked, by modifying old H-6 bomber (Tu-16 Badger). In 2005 it announced plans to buy approximately 30 IL-76 transport planes and 8 Il-78 tanker planes, which would greatly increase its troop airlift capability and offer extended range to many aircraft, though as of 2009 this deal is still on hold.

Predictions of the PLAAF's future aircraft fleet indicate that it will consist of large quantities of Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 as its main force, and JH-7A as the PLAAF backbone precision strike fighter. Future stealth fighter projects such as the J-XX will be inducted into the air fleet in small numbers, assigned to elite PLAAF selected pilots. The transport fleet will comprise of Y-9 medium range transport aircraft, along with the Soviet Ilyushin Il-76, and domestic Y-20 heavy transport aircraft. Its helicopter fleet will comprise of Z-15 and Mi-17 troop transporter, and the WZ-10 attack helicopter for its ground forces. AWACS/AEW will be refined variants of existing service fleet of KJ-2000 and KJ-200, with UAV/UCAV in early stages of service in the PLAAF.

Markings
The markings of the PLAAF are a red star in front of a red band, it is very similar to the insignia of the Russian 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.

Organization
The HqAF consists of four departments: Command, Political, Logistic, and Equipment, which mirrors the four general departments of the PLA.
 * Headquarters Air Force (HqAF)
 * Military region air forces (MRAF)
 * Division (Fighter, Attack, Bomber)
 * Regiment
 * Squadron

The PLAAF typically uses the system of threes in its organization 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 PLAAF Headquarters.

PLAAF Order of Battle


 * 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

Other
The August 1st (aerobatic team) is the only PLAAF aerobatics team. It was formed in 1962.

Aircraft used:
 * J-7G (Retired)
 * J-10 (Current)

Leadership
The PLA Air Force has had 10 commanders and 11 political commissars since its inception, including three political commissars who later became commanders.

Deputy Commanders:
 * He Weirong
 * Jing Wenchun
 * Liu Chengjun
 * Wang Chaoqun
 * Yang Dongming

Deputy Political Commissars:
 * Liu Yazhou
 * Rui Qingkai


 * Chief of Staff: Yang Guohai
 * Director of Political Department: Wang Xiaolong

Current
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Versions ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Notes ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|  Image ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Aircraft J-10S J-10B JF-17S J-8B J-8D J-8H J-8F JZ-8 JZ-8F J-7II JJ-7 99 50 Su-27SK Su-27UBK 53 16 🇷🇺 Su-30MKK Su-30MK2 50 23 J-11A J-11B 100 2 200 J-11A licensed for production, 100 J-11A are in service, with 2 J-11B serving along side the J-11A. ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Bomber Aircraft JH-7A
 * Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon
 * multirole fighter
 * J-10
 * multirole fighter
 * J-10
 * 80
 * Chinese domestic 4th-generation multi-role fighter with technology implemented from cancelled J-9 project.
 * J-10a zhas.png
 * JF-17 Thunder
 * multi-role fighter
 * JF-17
 * multi-role fighter
 * JF-17
 * 3 Prototypes
 * Joint produced 4th-generation fighter jet, reportedly acquired by the PLAAF to replace its J-7s and Q-5s. Joint project China and Pakistan.
 * Side view of JF-17 taxiing with trucks in background cropped version.jpg
 * Shenyang J-8II Finback
 * Interceptor
 * Interceptor
 * Interceptor
 * 180
 * Chinese domestic 3rd generation interceptor.
 * KampfflugzeugF-8China-2009-01-04.jpg
 * Chengdu J-7 Airguard
 * Interceptor
 * J-7
 * Interceptor
 * J-7
 * 322
 * Chinese domestic 3rd generation interceptor derived from the Soviet MiG-21
 * J-7I fighter at the Beijing Military museum.jpg
 * Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker
 * air-superiority
 * air-superiority
 * air-superiority
 * Russian bought 4th generation Su-27 air superiority fighter
 * Chinese Su-27.JPG
 * Sukhoi Su-30MKK Flanker-G
 * Sukhoi Su-30MKK Flanker-G
 * air-superiority multi-role fighter
 * Russian developed 4th generation multi-role fighter, developed according to PLAAF requirements.
 * Shenyang J-11
 * air-superiority multi-role fighter
 * Shenyang J-11
 * air-superiority multi-role fighter
 * air-superiority multi-role fighter
 * Chinese 4th generation air-superiority fighter originally developed from the Sukhoi Su-27 airframe. The J-11A is the base model of the 4th generation Su-27 manufactured from supplied kits from Russia with Chinese components, while the J-11B uses Chinese avionics and weapons.
 * JH-7 Flying Leopard
 * fighter-bomber
 * JH-7
 * fighter-bomber
 * JH-7

! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground Attack Aircraft ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Bomber Aircraft H-6 HY-6 51 6 ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transports ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport Helicopters ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | AEW ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | UAV and UCAV ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | On Order
 * 70
 * Chinese domestic 4th generation strike bomber.
 * Jh-7a naval yt.png
 * Q-5 Fantan
 * ground attack bomber
 * Q-5I
 * 500
 * Chinese domestic 3rd generation ground attack fighter derived from the Shenyang J-6. Steadily being phased out, and replaced with Xian JH-7A Flounder
 * 500
 * Chinese domestic 3rd generation ground attack fighter derived from the Shenyang J-6. Steadily being phased out, and replaced with Xian JH-7A Flounder
 * Q5 parked.png
 * Xian H-6
 * bomber
 * bomber
 * bomber
 * Chinese produced Tupolev Tu-16 Soviet bomber with modernized Chinese electronics and weapons
 * H-6.jpg
 * L-15 Falcon
 * trainer
 * 2 Prototypes
 * Chinese domestic advanced lead-in trainer, and light weight fighter (LIFT)
 * HAIG L15.jpg
 * JL-9 Mountain Eagle
 * trainer
 * 2 Prototypes
 * Chinese domestic trainer, and light weight fighter
 * Guizhou jl9.jpg
 * K-8 Karakorum
 * trainer
 * K-8
 * 25
 * Chinese domestic basic trainer.
 * K-8 Karakorum - Air Force of Zimbabwe.jpg
 * JL-7 Baby Eagle
 * trainer
 * 300 Ordered
 * Chinese domestic trainer
 * Nanchang CJ-6
 * trainer
 * CJ-6A
 * 1,419
 * Nanchang CJ-6 corner 20060729.jpg
 * JL-7 Baby Eagle
 * trainer
 * 300 Ordered
 * Chinese domestic trainer
 * Nanchang CJ-6
 * trainer
 * CJ-6A
 * 1,419
 * Nanchang CJ-6 corner 20060729.jpg
 * trainer
 * CJ-6A
 * 1,419
 * Nanchang CJ-6 corner 20060729.jpg
 * Nanchang CJ-6 corner 20060729.jpg
 * Nanchang CJ-6 corner 20060729.jpg
 * Xian Y-14
 * transport
 * Twin-engine turboprop transport
 * Harbin Y-12
 * transport
 * 2
 * Twin-engine turboprop transport
 * Y12e.jpg
 * Harbin Y-11
 * transport
 * 15
 * Shaanxi Y-9
 * Multi-purpose transport
 * Under development
 * Y12e.jpg
 * Harbin Y-11
 * transport
 * 15
 * Shaanxi Y-9
 * Multi-purpose transport
 * Under development
 * Shaanxi Y-9
 * Multi-purpose transport
 * Under development
 * Multi-purpose transport
 * Under development
 * Under development
 * Under development
 * Under development
 * Shaanxi Y-8
 * Multi-purpose transport
 * 40
 * Y-8 design derived from the Soviet Antonov An-12 short-medium range transport
 * [[File:Yun 8 - KJ-2000 - Chinese domestic airborne warning and control system (AWACS).jpg|140px]]
 * Xian Y-7
 * transport
 * 23
 * Based on the Antonov An-24; Y-7H based on Antonov An-26
 * Shijiazhuang Y-5
 * utility transport
 * 300
 * Based on the Soviet Antonov An-2, made since 1950s. A light utility, transport aircraft mostly on reserve
 * Ilyushin Il-76
 * transport
 * Il-76MD
 * 20
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-76 medium-range transport
 * Bombardier Challenger 600
 * VIP transport
 * CL 601
 * 5
 * Tupolev Tu-154
 * VIP transport
 * Tu-154M
 * 7
 * Il-76MD
 * 20
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-76 medium-range transport
 * Bombardier Challenger 600
 * VIP transport
 * CL 601
 * 5
 * Tupolev Tu-154
 * VIP transport
 * Tu-154M
 * 7
 * Tupolev Tu-154
 * VIP transport
 * Tu-154M
 * 7
 * Tu-154M
 * 7
 * CAIC WZ-10
 * Attack helicopter
 * 6 Prototypes
 * Chinese domestic attack helicopter
 * WZ-10 helicopter.png
 * Harbin WZ-9
 * Attack helicopter
 * 30-40
 * Chinese domestic attack helicopter variant of Z-9.
 * Changhe Z-11W
 * Attack helicopter
 * 20
 * Chinese domestic attack helicopter variant of Z-11
 * Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle
 * Attack helicopter
 * SA 342
 * 8
 * French bought attack helicopter
 * Attack helicopter
 * 20
 * Chinese domestic attack helicopter variant of Z-11
 * Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle
 * Attack helicopter
 * SA 342
 * 8
 * French bought attack helicopter
 * SA 342
 * 8
 * French bought attack helicopter
 * Changhe Z-11
 * Utility helicopter
 * 20
 * Chinese helicopter influenced by Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil
 * Harbin Z-9
 * Transport helicopter
 * 25
 * Chinese license produced Eurocopter SA 365 Dauphin
 * Changhe Z-8
 * Transport helicopter
 * ~40
 * Chinese licensed produced Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
 * Mil Mi-17
 * Transport helicopter
 * 240
 * Soviet bought Mi-17
 * Mil Mi-8
 * Transport helicopter
 * 20
 * Soviet bought Mi-8 helicopter
 * Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar
 * Transport helicopter
 * AS 532
 * 6
 * French Eurocopter Cougar helicopter
 * Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk
 * Transport helicopter
 * S-70C
 * 24
 * American bought S-70 helicopter
 * Transport helicopter
 * 20
 * Soviet bought Mi-8 helicopter
 * Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar
 * Transport helicopter
 * AS 532
 * 6
 * French Eurocopter Cougar helicopter
 * Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk
 * Transport helicopter
 * S-70C
 * 24
 * American bought S-70 helicopter
 * Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk
 * Transport helicopter
 * S-70C
 * 24
 * American bought S-70 helicopter
 * American bought S-70 helicopter
 * KJ-2000
 * AWAC / AEW&C
 * 5
 * Uses IL-76 airframe
 * Kongyu 2000, People's Liberation Army Air Force, China.jpg
 * KJ-200
 * AEW&C
 * 4
 * Uses Y-8F600 airframe
 * Y-8 AWACS
 * AEW&C
 * Y-8J AEW
 * AEW&C
 * 2
 * Uses Y-8F600 airframe
 * Y-8 AWACS
 * AEW&C
 * Y-8J AEW
 * AEW&C
 * 2
 * Y-8J AEW
 * AEW&C
 * 2
 * Y-8J AEW
 * AEW&C
 * 2
 * 2
 * 2
 * CH-3
 * UCAV
 * CH-1
 * UCAV
 * WZ-2000
 * UCAV
 * WZ-2000B
 * Xianglong Unmanned Reconnaissance Aerial Vehicle
 * Long range URAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * Yilong UCAV
 * Long range UCAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * Long Haul Eagle UAV
 * UAV
 * UAV
 * PW-2
 * UAV
 * TF-10
 * UAV
 * TF-8
 * UAV
 * SH-1 UAV
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * Dufeng II UAV
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * WZ-5
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * IAI Harpy
 * UCAV
 * WZ-5
 * UAV
 * ASN-206
 * URAV
 * ASN-207
 * URAV
 * ASN-104
 * URAV
 * ASN-105
 * URAV
 * ASN-15
 * URAV
 * TJ-1
 * Target drone
 * Chengdu J-7
 * Target drone
 * ASN-9
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * UAV
 * SH-1 UAV
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * Dufeng II UAV
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * WZ-5
 * Long range UAV
 * First unveiled in the Zhuhai Airshow.
 * IAI Harpy
 * UCAV
 * WZ-5
 * UAV
 * ASN-206
 * URAV
 * ASN-207
 * URAV
 * ASN-104
 * URAV
 * ASN-105
 * URAV
 * ASN-15
 * URAV
 * TJ-1
 * Target drone
 * Chengdu J-7
 * Target drone
 * ASN-9
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * ASN-206
 * URAV
 * ASN-207
 * URAV
 * ASN-104
 * URAV
 * ASN-105
 * URAV
 * ASN-15
 * URAV
 * TJ-1
 * Target drone
 * Chengdu J-7
 * Target drone
 * ASN-9
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * URAV
 * ASN-15
 * URAV
 * TJ-1
 * Target drone
 * Chengdu J-7
 * Target drone
 * ASN-9
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * Chengdu J-7
 * Target drone
 * ASN-9
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * Target drone
 * ASN-7
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * Shenyang J-5
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * ASN-2
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * CK-1
 * Target drone
 * Target drone
 * Target drone
 * Ilyushin Il-76
 * Transport
 * Il-76MD
 * 30
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-76 medium-range transport
 * Ilyushin Il-78
 * Aerial re-fueling tanker
 * 4
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-78 aerial re-fueling tanker
 * Ilyushin Il-78
 * Aerial re-fueling tanker
 * 4
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-78 aerial re-fueling tanker
 * 4
 * Soviet Ilyushin Il-78 aerial re-fueling tanker

Future aircraft
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Versions ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Notes ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Projects Under Development
 * Shenyang J-XX
 * 5th generation stealth fighter
 * 5th generation stealth fighter being developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Competing for China's next generation fighter.
 * Shenyang DarkSword
 * Stealth UCAV
 * Thunderbolt UCAV
 * Ground strike UCAV
 * UCAV developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation
 * Zhanying (Combat Eagle)
 * Stealth strike UCAV
 * Stealth strike UCAV with forward swept wings. Model shown at Zhuhai airshow.
 * Scan Eagle
 * Stealth recon UAV
 * Yak-152K
 * trainer
 * 1-2 prototype
 * Joint project advanced trainer developed by China and Russia
 * Harbin Z-15
 * transport helicopter
 * Under development
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Zhanying (Combat Eagle)
 * Stealth strike UCAV
 * Stealth strike UCAV with forward swept wings. Model shown at Zhuhai airshow.
 * Scan Eagle
 * Stealth recon UAV
 * Yak-152K
 * trainer
 * 1-2 prototype
 * Joint project advanced trainer developed by China and Russia
 * Harbin Z-15
 * transport helicopter
 * Under development
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Yak-152K
 * trainer
 * 1-2 prototype
 * Joint project advanced trainer developed by China and Russia
 * Harbin Z-15
 * transport helicopter
 * Under development
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Harbin Z-15
 * transport helicopter
 * Under development
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Under development
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Joint helicopter project developed by AVIC and Eurocopter.
 * Y-8G ELINT
 * ELINT platform
 * ELINT variant of the Y-8
 * Y-20
 * Large multi role transport
 * Under development
 * Tianyan-2
 * unmanned combat helicopter
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles
 * Large multi role transport
 * Under development
 * Tianyan-2
 * unmanned combat helicopter
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles
 * Tianyan-2
 * unmanned combat helicopter
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles
 * unmanned combat helicopter
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles
 * An unmanned military helicopter to be used for anti-terrorist roles

Retired aircraft

 * Former aircraft operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF):
 * Lavochkin La-7: Fighter
 * Yakolev Yak-9: Fighter
 * Lavochkin La-11: Fighter
 * Ilyushin Il-10 Sturmovik: Ground Attack Fighter
 * Petlyakov Pe-2: Light/Dive Bomber
 * Tupolev Tu-2: Medium Bomber
 * Tupolev Tu-4: Heavy Bomber, Soviet copy of the American B-29 Superfortress
 * Tupolev Tu-14: Torpedo Bomber
 * MiG-15: Jet Fighter
 * MiG-9: Jet Fighter
 * Yakovlev Yak-17: Jet Fighter
 * Shenyang J-5: Copy of the Soviet MiG-17 Jet Fighter
 * Shenyang J-6: Copy of the Soviet MiG-19 Jet Fighter
 * H-5: Copy of the Soviet Ilyushin Il-28 Jet Bomber
 * Harbin Z-5: Copy of the Soviet Mi-4 Transport Helicopter
 * Mil Mi-1: Transport Helicopter
 * Ilyushin Il-12: Transport Aircraft
 * Ilyushin Il-14: Transport Aircraft
 * Lisunov Li-2: Transport Aircraft, Soviet Copy of the American Douglas DC-2