List of active People's Liberation Army aircraft

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

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	209 [1]	License built variant of the Tupolev Tu-16
Xian JH-7	China	Fighter bomber	JH-7A	200 [1]
Shenyang J-8	China	Interceptor	J-8IIM	98 [1]	Phasing out of Service. [2]
Chengdu J-10	China	Multirole fighter		588 [1]	J-10A: 236 [1] J-10S: 77 [1] J-10B: 55 [1] J-10C: 220 [1]
Shenyang J-11	China Soviet Union	Air superiority fighter		442 [1]	License built Sukhoi Su-27 variant. J-11: [1] J-11B/BS: [1]
Shenyang J-16	China	Multirole strike fighter		350 [1]
Chengdu J-20	China	Air superiority fighter	J-20A/B/S	300 + [1] [3]	Fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Sukhoi Su-27	Soviet Union	Air superiority fighter	Su-27UBK	32 [4] [1]
Sukhoi Su-30	Russia	Multirole strike fighter	Su-30MKK	73 [1]
Sukhoi Su-35	Russia	Air superiority fighter	Su-35S	24 [5]
AWACS
Shaanxi KJ-200	China	AEW		11 [6]
Shaanxi KJ-500	China	AEW		14 [6]
KJ-2000	China Russia	AEW		4 [6]	Chinese radar installed on an Ilyushin Il-76 airframe
Tanker
Xian Y-20	China	Aerial refueling	YY-20	7 [6]
Ilyushin Il-78	Soviet Union	Aerial refueling	Il-78MP	3 [6]
Transport
Xian Y-7	China Soviet Union	Transport		48 [6]	License built variant of the Antonov An-24
Shaanxi Y-8	China Soviet Union	Tactical airlifter		80 [6]	License built variant of the Antonov An-12
Shaanxi Y-9	China	Tactical airlifter		24 [6]
Xian Y-20	China	Strategic airlifter		70 [1]
Xian MA-60	China			16 [6]
Ilyushin Il-76	Soviet Union	Strategic airlifter	IL-76MD	26 [6]
Tupolev Tu-154	Soviet Union	Transport		2 [6]
Special purpose aircraft (Reconnaissance, SIGINT, Electronic warfare, Maritime patrol etc.)
Shaanxi Y-8	China Soviet union	EW/Reconnaissance		18 [6]	17 units for EW & 1 for Reconnaissance. [6] [7]
Antonov An-30	Soviet Union	Electronic warfare		10 [1]
Tupolev Tu-154	Soviet Union	Electronic warfare		4 [1]
Shenyang J-16D	China	Electronic warfare/SEAD		12 [1]
Bombardier Challenger 850	Canada	Reconnaissance		5 [7] [6]
Helicopter
Changhe Z-8	China France	transport	License built Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon variant	34 [6]
Harbin Z-9	China France	Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter	License built Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin variant	16 [6]
Changhe Z-10	China	Attack helicopter		8 [8]
Mi-17	Russia	Attack helicopter		16 [6]
Trainer aircraft
Chengdu JJ-7/JJ-7A	China	conversion trainer	JJ-7	200 [1]
Hongdu JL-8	China	jet trainer	K-8	350 [1]
Guizhou JL-9	China	jet trainer		30 [1]
Hongdu JL-10	China	jet trainer		50 [9]
Xian Y-7	China	multi-engine trainer		25
Guimbal Cabri G2	France	rotorcraft trainer		2 [10]
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Guizhou Sunshine	China	MALE UAV		55 [11]
Chengdu Pterodactyl I	China	MALE UAV		250 [11]
Chengdu Pterodactyl 2	China	MALE UAV		1024 [11]	Output 470 per year 2024
Harbin Giant Eagle	China	MALE UAV		135 [11]
Chengdu Cloud Shadow	China	HALE UAV		30 [11]
Guizhou Soar Dragon	China	HALE UAV		15 [11]

People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

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		[12]
Bombardier CRJ100/200	Canada	Jet	VIP Transport		2		[12]
Bombardier CRJ700 series	Canada	Jet	VIP Transport		2		[12]
Changhe Z-8	China	Rotorcraft	Transport/SAR		31		Z-8: 9 Z-8J: 13 Z-8JH (SAR): 4 Z-8S (SAR): 5 [12]
Changhe Z-18	China	Rotorcraft	Transport		12		Z-18: 4 Z-18 AEW: 3 Z-18F: 5 (ASW) [12]
Chengdu J-10	China	Jet	Multi-role		23	24	J-10A: 16 J-10S:7 [12]
Eurocopter AS565 Panther	France	Rotorcraft	Transport		7		[12]
Guizhou JL-9	China	Jet	Trainer		36		[12]
Harbin Y-12	China	Propeller	Transport		20		[12]
Harbin Z-9	China	Rotorcraft	Utility		25		Z-9D (MRH) 11 Z-9C (ASW) 2Z-9S (SAR): 14 [12]
Hongdu JL-8	China	Jet	Trainer		16		[12]
Hongdu JL-10	China	Jet	Trainer		12		[12]
Kamov Ka-28	Russia	Rotorcraft	ASW		9		[12]
Kamov Ka-31	Russia	Rotorcraft	Airborne Early Warning		9
KJ-200	China	Propeller	Airborne Early Warning		6		[12]
KQ-200	China	Propeller	Patrol		20+		[12]
Mil Mi-8	USSR	Rotorcraft	Transport		8		[12]
Nanchang CJ-6	China	Propeller	Trainer		38		[12]
Shaanxi KJ-500	China	Propeller	Airborne Early Warning		14+		[12]
Shaanxi Y-8	China	Propeller	Transport/patrol		32		Y-8C: 3 [12]
Shaanxi Y-8J	China	Propeller	Patrol		4		[12]
Shaanxi Y-8JB	China	Propeller	SIGINT		4		[12]
Shaanxi Y-9JZ	China	Propeller	ELINT		8		[12]
Shenyang J-8	China	Jet	Fighter		24		[12]
Shenyang J11B/BS	China	Jet	Multi-role		72	72	[12]
Shenyang J-15	China	Jet	Multi-role fighter	2013	60 (est)		[12]
Shenyang J-15D	China	Jet	Electronic Warfare/SEAD	2024	More than 2		[13]
Shijiazhuang Y-5	China	Propeller	Transport/utility		20		[12]
Sukhoi Su-30MKK	Russia	Jet	Multi-role fighter		24	24	Su-30MK2 Variant [12]
Xian H-6	China	Jet	Strategic Bomber/Patrol		45		H-6G: 27 H-6J: 18 [12]
Xian HY-6U	China	Jet	Tanker		6		[12]
Xian JH-7	China	Jet	Attack		120		JH-7: 48 JH-7A: 72 [12]
Xian MA60	China	Jet	Transport		2		[12]
Xian Y-7	China	Propeller	Transport/trainer		8		[12]

People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aviation

Further information: People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aviation

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
Xian Y-7	China	Propeller	Transport		2		[14]
Shaanxi Y-8	China	Propeller	Transport		2		[14]
Shaanxi Y-9	China	Propeller	Transport		2		[14]
Changhe Z-8/Changhe Z-18	China	Rotorcraft	Transport		135		[14]
Harbin Z-9	China	Rotorcraft	Utility	1994	120 (est)		[14]
Changhe Z-10	China	Rotorcraft	Attack	2012	200		[14]
Changhe Z-11	China	Rotorcraft	Attack/patrol	1998	53		[14]
Harbin Z-19	China	Rotorcraft	Attack/patrol	2012	120+		[14]
Harbin Z-20	China	Rotorcraft	Utility	2019	150 (est)		[14]
Mil Mi-17	USSR	Rotorcraft	Transport		88		[14]
Mil Mi-8/Mil Mi-171	USSR	Rotorcraft	Transport		140		[14]
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri	France	Rotorcraft	Training		15		[14]
Sikorsky S-70	USA	Rotorcraft	Executive transport	1983	19		[14]
CH-4B	China	UAV	CISR		5+		[14]
BZK-005	China	UAV	Heavy ISR				[14]
BZK-009	China	UAV	Heavy ISR				[14]
BZK-006	China	UAV	Medium ISR				[14]
BZK-007	China	UAV	Medium ISR				[14]
BZK-008	China	UAV	Medium ISR				[14]

See also

• List of active People's Liberation Army Air Force aircraft
• List of unmanned aerial vehicles of China
• Lists of currently active military equipment by country
• People's Liberation Army Air Force
• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
• People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aviation

References

1. International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2024, p.261
2. office_zzam (2023-05-22). "Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command replaces old J-7 and J-8 aircraft". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
3. 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.
4. The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 261.
5. Gady, Franz-Stefan (2019-05-17). "Russia Completes Delivery of 24 Su-35 Fighter Jets to China". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
6. "Word Air Forces 2024". 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
7. "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.
8. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. ISBN   9781003400226.
9. The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 243.
10. "World Air Forces 2021". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
11. Rupprecht, Andreas (29 October 2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN   978-09973092-6-3.
12. 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.
13. https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2024/11/01/the-chinese-navys-new-j-15d-carrier-based-electronic-warfare-aircraft-may-have-entered-service/
14. International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 13, 2024). The Military Balance 2024 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 255–256. ISBN   978-1032780047.

Sources

• 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.