List of active People's Liberation Army aircraft

Last updated

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.

Contents

People's Liberation Army Air Force

Current inventory

AircraftImageOriginTypeVariantsIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
Xian H-6 H-6K landing (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Strategic bomber 350 [1] License built variant of the Tupolev Tu-16
  • H-6k - 230
  • H-6j - 80
  • H-6n - 20
  • HD-6 - 20
Xian JH-7 Xian JH-7A.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Fighter bomber JH-7A/B 150 [2]
Chengdu J-7 Chengdu F-7 Pakistani Air Force (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Fighter 450 [3] License built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variant. Phasing out of service.
Shenyang J-8 Shenyang J-8.JPEG Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Interceptor J-8IIM 50 [3]
Chengdu J-10 J-10B with PL-10 and PL-12.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Multirole fighter 565 [3]
Shenyang J-11 Chinese-j-11.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Air superiority fighter 225 [3] License built Sukhoi Su-27 variant.
  • J-11: 95 [3]
  • J-11B/BS: 130 [3]
Shenyang J-16 PLAAF J-16 - 2.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Multirole strike fighter 300 [3]
  • J-16: 250
  • J-16D: 50
Chengdu J-20 J-20 at Airshow China 2016.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Air superiority fighter J-20A/B/S210-250 [3] [4] Fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Sukhoi Su-27 Sukhoi Su-27.jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Air superiority fighter Su-27UBK/SM3100
  • Su-27UBK: 40
  • Su-27SM3: 60
Sukhoi Su-30 PLAAF Sukhoi Su-30 at Lipetsk-2 (modified).jpg Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Multirole strike fighter Su-30MKK/MK2100
  • Su-30MKK: 30
  • Su-30MK2: 70
Sukhoi Su-35 Refueling2018-04.jpg Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Air superiority fighter Su-35S 24
AWACS
Shaanxi KJ-200 Shaanxi KJ-200.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China AEW 10
Shaanxi KJ-500 KJ-500 (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China AEW 30
Xian Y-20 China - Air Force - Xian Y-20.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China AEW 58
KJ-2000 KJ2000 at 2014 Zhuhai Air Show.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of Russia.svg  Russia

AEW 10Chinese radar installed on an Ilyushin Il-76 airframe
Tanker
Xian Y-20 China - Air Force - Xian Y-20.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Aerial refueling YY-20 50
Ilyushin Il-78 Ilyushin Il-78 (s.n 0073478359).jpeg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Aerial refueling Il-78MP 10
Transport
Xian Y-7 Xian Y-7, Air China AN0220896.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Transport 50License built variant of the Antonov An-24
Shaanxi Y-8 Shaanxi Y-8.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Tactical airlifter 100License built variant of the Antonov An-12
Shaanxi Y-9 Shaanxi Y-9 - Aviadarts2018.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Tactical airlifter 35
Xian Y-20 Y-20 at Airshow China 2016.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Strategic airlifter 50 [3]
Xian MA-60 B-3431 Yunshuji Y7 - MA60 Wuhan Airlines (7184364523).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 25
Ilyushin Il-76 Ilyushin Il-76MD 20541.jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Strategic airlifter IL-76MD 50
Tupolev Tu-154 RA-85743 Tupolev Tu.154 All White (7269605012).jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Transport10
Special purpose aircraft (Reconnaissance, SIGINT, Electronic Warfare, Maritime Patrol etc.)
Antonov An-12 Ru Qin Zhong Hua Min Guo Xi Nan Fang Kong Shi Bie Qu De Zhong Gong Yun 8 (cropped).jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union MultiroleShaanxi Y-8/Y-9 100
  • Y-8 50
  • Y-9 50
Antonov An-30 An-30 - RA-26226.jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Electronic warfare 10 [3]
Tupolev Tu-154 RA-85743 Tupolev Tu.154 All White (7269605012).jpg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Electronic warfare 4 [3]
Bombardier Challenger 850 Challenger 850, 9H-BOO (25453424636).jpg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada SIGINT 12
Helicopter
Changhe Z-8 SA321 Super Frelon (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of France.svg  France

transportLicense built Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon variant50
Harbin Z-9 Chinese Helicopter Lands on HMS Cornwall MOD 45150752.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of France.svg  France

Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter License built Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin variant250
Changhe Z-10 PLAAF Changhe WZ-10 - Jordan.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Attack helicopter 250
Changhe Z-11 Changhe Z-11WB, Zhuhai-Jinwan 4th November 2016 (31829381252).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China utility helicopter 250
Airbus Helicopters H175 F-WWPB (8970723436).jpg Flag of France.svg  France Super-medium utility helicopter 50
Changhe Z-18 PLANAF Changhe Z-18J AEW.png Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Utility helicopter 200
Harbin Z-19 Harbin Z-19 helicopter (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Reconnaissance / attack helicopter 200
Harbin Z-20 Z-20 Airshow China 2022 fly.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Medium lift helicopter50
Mi-8 Mil Mi-8P, Baltic Airlines (cropped).jpg Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Attack helicopter 50
Mi-17 Russian Air Force Mil Mi-17 yellow 62.jpg Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Attack helicopter 50
Trainer aircraft
Chengdu JJ-7/JJ-7A Chengdu F-7 Pakistani Air Force (cropped).jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China conversion trainer JJ-7 200 [3]
Hongdu JL-8 Pakistan airforce K8.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China jet trainer K-8 350 [3]
Guizhou JL-9 FTC-2000G.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China jet trainer 30 [3]
Hongdu JL-10 Hongdu L-15 Falcon.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China jet trainer 200
Xian Y-7 Xian Y-7-100, China General Aviation AN0193499.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China multi-engine trainer 25
Guimbal Cabri G2 Flag of France.svg  France rotorcraft trainer2 [5]
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Guizhou Sunshine Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China MALE UAV 55 [6]
Chengdu Pterodactyl I Wing Loong.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China MALE UAV 100 [6]
Chengdu Pterodactyl 2 Wing Loong II side view.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China MALE UAV 125 [6]
Harbin Giant Eagle Harbin BZK-005 high altitude long range UAV.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China MALE UAV 135 [6]
Chengdu Cloud Shadow AVIC Cloud Shadow side view.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China HALE UAV 30 [6]
Guizhou Soar Dragon Soar Dragon.jpg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China HALE UAV 15 [6]

People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon FranceRotorcraftTransport8 [7]
Bombardier CRJ100/200 CanadaJetVIP Transport2 [7]
Bombardier CRJ700 series CanadaJetVIP Transport2 [7]
Changhe Z-8 ChinaRotorcraftTransport/SAR31Z-8: 9
Z-8J: 13
Z-8JH (SAR): 4
Z-8S (SAR): 5 [7]
Changhe Z-18 ChinaRotorcraftTransport12Z-18: 4
Z-18 AEW: 3
Z-18F: 5 (ASW) [7]
Chengdu J-10 ChinaJetMulti-role2324J-10A: 16
J-10S:7 [7]
Eurocopter AS565 Panther FranceRotorcraftTransport7 [7]
Guizhou JL-9 ChinaJetTrainer36 [7]
Harbin Y-12 ChinaPropellerTransport20 [7]
Harbin Z-9 ChinaRotorcraftUtility25Z-9D (MRH) 11
Z-9C (ASW)
2Z-9S (SAR): 14 [7]
Hongdu JL-8 ChinaJetTrainer16 [7]
Hongdu JL-10 ChinaJetTrainer12 [7]
Kamov Ka-28 RussiaRotorcraftASW9 [7]
Kamov Ka-31 RussiaRotorcraftAirborne Early Warning9
KJ-200 ChinaPropellerAirborne Early Warning6 [7]
KQ-200 ChinaPropellerAirborne Early Warning20+ [7]
Mil Mi-8 USSRRotorcraftTransport8 [7]
Nanchang CJ-6 ChinaPropellerTrainer38 [7]
Shaanxi KJ-500 ChinaPropellerAirborne Early Warning14+ [7]
Shaanxi Y-8 ChinaPropellerTransport/patrol32Y-8C: 3 [7]
Shaanxi Y-8J ChinaPropellerPatrol4 [7]
Shaanxi Y-8JB ChinaPropellerPatrol4 [7]
Shaanxi Y-9JZ ChinaPropellerPatrol8 [7]
Shenyang J-8 ChinaJetFighter24 [7]
Shenyang J11B/BS ChinaJetMulti-role7272 [7]
Shenyang J-15 ChinaJetMulti-role201360 (est) [7]
Shijiazhuang Y-5 ChinaPropellerTransport/utility20 [7]
Sukhoi Su-30MKK RussiaJetMulti-role2424 [7]
Xian H-6 ChinaJetStrategic Bomber45H-6G: 27
H-6J: 18 [7]
Xian H-6U ChinaJetTanker6H-6G: 27
H-6J: 18 [7]
Xian JH-7 ChinaJetAttack120JH-7: 48 JH-7A: 72 [7]
Xian MA60 ChinaJetTransport2 [7]
Xian Y-7 ChinaPropellerTransport/trainer8 [7]

People's Liberation Army Ground Force

TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
Xian Y-7 ChinaPropellerTransport2 [8]
Shaanxi Y-8 ChinaPropellerTransport2 [8]
Shaanxi Y-9 ChinaPropellerTransport2 [8]
Changhe Z-8 ChinaRotorcraftTransport125 [9]
Harbin Z-9 ChinaRotorcraftUtility1994120 (est) [9]
CAIC WZ-10 ChinaRotorcraftAttack2012200 [9]
Changhe Z-11 ChinaRotorcraftAttack/patrol199853 [9]
Harbin Z-19 ChinaRotorcraftAttack/patrol2012120+ [9]
Harbin Z-20 ChinaRotorcraftUtility2019100 (est) [9]
Mil Mi-17/Mil Mi-171 USSRRotorcraftTransport88 [9]
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri FranceRotorcraftTraining15 [8]
Sikorsky S-70 USARotorcraftExecutive transport198319 [8]
CH-4B ChinaUAVCISR5+ [9]
BZK-005 ChinaUAVHeavy ISR [9]
BZK-009ChinaUAVHeavy ISR [9]
BZK-006ChinaUAVMedium ISR [9]
BZK-007ChinaUAVMedium ISR [9]
BZK-008ChinaUAVMedium ISR [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army</span> Combined military forces of the Peoples Republic of China

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the principal military force of the People's Republic of China. The PLA consists of five service branches: the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force. It is under the leadership of the Central Military Commission (CMC) with its chairman as commander-in-chief.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Air Force, also referred to as the Chinese Air Force (中国空军) or the People's Air Force (人民空军), is an aerial service branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military force of the People's Republic of China. The PLAAF was officially established on 11 November 1949 and it is composed of five branches: aviation, ground-based air defense, radar, Airborne Corps and other support elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HQ-16</span> Chinese medium-range surface-to-air missile

The HQ-16 is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China. It is derived from earlier versions of the Russian Buk missile system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PL-12</span> Chinese medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air BVR missile

The PL-12 is an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China. It is considered comparable to the US AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Russian R-77.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shenyang J-11</span> Chinese air superiority fighter

The Shenyang J-11 is a twin-engine jet fighter of the People's Republic of China whose airframe is derived from the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27. It is manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The aircraft is operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HQ-7</span> Chinese Short Range LOMADS

The HQ-7 is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China. It was developed by the Changfeng Electromechanical Technology Design Institute from the French R-440 Crotale SAM. It entered service in the early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 95 SPAAA</span> Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun/missile system

The Type 95 is a Chinese self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. It is armed with four 25 mm caliber cannons and optionally four fire-and-forget QW-2 infrared homing missiles. It was first displayed publicly at the Beijing Military Parade in 1999. Earlier in development the system was designated Type 90-II and Type 90-III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YJ-83</span> Chinese anti-ship cruise missile

The YJ-83 is a Chinese subsonic anti-ship cruise missile. It is manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Third Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon</span> Type of aircraft

The Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon is a high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the People's Republic of China. The aircraft features a unique joined-wing design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xi'an Y-20</span> Chinese military transport aircraft

The Xi'an Y-20 Kunpeng is a large military transport aircraft developed by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation for the People's Republic of China (PRC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PLZ-07</span> Self-propelled artillery

The PLZ-07 or Type 07 is a Chinese 122 mm self-propelled artillery made by the China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbin Z-20</span> Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter

The Harbin Z-20 is a Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It was first flown on 23 December 2013 and has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb). The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier. It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DF-26</span> PR China intermediate-range ballistic missile

The Dong Feng-26 or DF-26 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile deployed by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and produced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaanxi KJ-500</span> Airborne early warning and control aircraft

The Shaanxi KJ-500 is a third-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force. It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, and is based on the Y-9 airframe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PL-15</span> Chinese air-to-air missile

The PL-15 is an active radar-guided long-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 15 tank</span> Chinese light tank

The Type 15, nicknamed the Black Panther, is a Chinese third generation light tank family operated by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps, and People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps. The tank is also exported to the Bangladesh Army. It is the effective successor to the Type 62 light tank that was retired from the Chinese army in 2013. The export version of the tank is known as VT-5.

The CJ-100, also known as DF-100, is a Chinese strategic, long range high-supersonic land-attack cruise missile.

The PHL-11 is a truck-mounted self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (SPMRL) produced by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It is a modernised replacement for the older PHL-81.

References

  1. "The Chinese Air Force Sure Is Buying A Lot Of Bombers". Forbes. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. Baddeley, Adam (February 2011). "The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011" (PDF). Asian Military Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2023, p.242-43
  4. 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.
  5. "World Air Forces 2021". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rupprecht, Andreas (29 October 2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN   978-09973092-6-3.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 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.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.257
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 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.

Sources