50 Facts About China’s Air Force

Establishment and Early Years

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has a rich history that dates back to the late 1940s. Let's explore its origins and early development.

1. The PLAAF was formally established in November 1949, following the Communist Party of China's (CCP) victory in the Chinese Civil War.
2. Initially, the air force operated a mix of captured Kuomintang (KMT) and Soviet aircraft.
3. The PLAAF began organizing its structure around several aviation divisions.

Korean War Involvement

The Korean War played a significant role in shaping the PLAAF. Here's how:

4. During the Korean War, the PLAAF expanded rapidly.
5. By early 1954, there were 28 divisions, with 70 regiments, and five independent regiments operating 3,000 aircraft.
6. The Soviets provided Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter aircraft, which played a crucial role in the war.

Soviet Influence

The Soviet Union had a profound impact on the early development of the PLAAF.

7. The Soviets provided not only aircraft but also training and support for developing the domestic aviation industry.
8. The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation built the two-seat MiG-15UTI trainer as the JJ-2.

Air Defense Focus

The PLAAF's primary mission has always been air defense. Here's how it evolved:

9. The PLAAF emerged from the Korean War as an air defense force.
10. Its main role was to support the army by achieving air superiority using fighters, radar, and ground-based weapons.
11. This focus on air defense was reinforced through the 1950s and 1960s.

Taiwan Strait Crisis

The PLAAF's capabilities were tested during the Taiwan Strait Crisis.

12. During the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis, the PLAAF engaged in skirmishes with the Republic of China Air Force near the Taiwan Strait.
13. This period highlighted the PLAAF's capabilities in defending China's territorial airspace.

Cultural Revolution Impact

The Cultural Revolution had a significant impact on the PLAAF.

14. The Cultural Revolution severely disrupted the air force's organization and training.
15. This period saw the dismantling of many of the air force's structures and the removal of experienced personnel.

Modernization Efforts

In the 1980s and 1990s, China began to modernize its military, including the PLAAF.

16. This modernization included the introduction of new aircraft.
17. Improved training programs were implemented.
18. Enhanced logistics and maintenance capabilities were developed.

Fourth-Generation Aircraft

Despite modernization efforts, the PLAAF still relies heavily on fourth-generation aircraft.

19. The J-11 and J-16 are Chinese variants of the Russian Su-27 and Su-30, respectively.
20. The majority of the PLAAF's inventory consists of older Soviet-era aircraft like the J-5, J-6, and J-7.

Electronic Warfare Capabilities

The PLAAF's electronic warfare capabilities are limited but improving.

21. The PLAAF's electronic warfare capabilities are limited by Western standards.
22. Programs are underway to improve these capabilities, including the development of advanced radar systems and electronic countermeasures.

Aerial Refueling Capabilities

Aerial refueling is a critical capability that the PLAAF lacks.

23. The PLAAF lacks significant aerial refueling capabilities.
24. This limitation hampers its ability to conduct long-range missions.

Space and Cyber Assets

The PLAAF is part of the broader PLA Strategic Support Force (PLASSF).

25. The PLAAF includes space and cyber assets.
26. These assets play a crucial role in modern warfare, providing critical support for air operations.

Training and Logistics

Despite improvements, the PLAAF still faces challenges in training and logistics.

27. The PLAAF relies heavily on imported spare parts and technical support.
28. Training programs have improved, but logistics and maintenance remain significant challenges.

Personnel and Organization

The PLAAF's structure is complex and multifaceted.

29. The PLAAF is organized into five sub-branches: aviation, ground-based air defense, radar, Airborne Corps, and other support elements.
30. The air force is subordinate to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and is commanded by officers who often come from the PLA rather than having a background in aviation.

Air Defense Campaigns

Air defense remains the PLAAF's primary mission.

31. The air force employs layered defenses of fighter-interceptor aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems.
32. These systems protect China's major cities and strategic locations.

Air Offensive Campaigns

The PLAAF is developing capabilities for air-to-ground attacks.

33. The air force is increasingly pursuing capabilities tailored to a "strategic air force."
34. This includes conducting offensive operations over longer distances using intensive firepower.

Taiwan and the PLAAF

The PLAAF has a long-standing rivalry with Taiwan's air force.

35. Taiwan operates U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets.
36. Taiwan's air force has highly effective air-to-air missiles, posing a significant threat to Chinese troop transport aircraft.

PLAAF's Inventory

The PLAAF operates a large number of aircraft, many of which are outdated.

37. The PLAAF operates over 5,000 warplanes.
38. Many of these aircraft are obsolete variants of Soviet aircraft like the J-5, J-6, and J-7.

Combat History

The PLAAF has a significant combat history.

39. The PLAAF claims to have shot down 1,474 aircraft and damaged another 2,344.
40. Most of these incidents occurred during air-to-air combat with U.S. forces during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Limited Training

Training remains a challenge for the PLAAF.

41. Despite efforts to improve training, the PLAAF's pilots lack experience in air warfare.
42. The air force has consistently misused its aircraft, leading to a lack of confidence in its operational capabilities.

Internal Control

China's airborne troops are primarily organized for internal control.

43. These troops have only been used twice—during the Cultural Revolution in Wuhan (1967) and during the Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing (1989).

Command Structure

The PLAAF's command structure is hierarchical.

44. Only three of its most recent commanders have been aviators.
45. All predecessors have come from the PLA, reflecting the air force's subordinate role within the broader military organization.

Airfield Protection

Protecting airfields is a critical mission for the PLAAF.

46. The PLAAF's primary air defense responsibilities include protecting China's airfields, principal political and economic centers, and heavy industrial areas.

Surface-to-Air Missiles

The PLAAF employs a variety of surface-to-air missile systems.

47. These systems include long- and shorter-range SAMs.
48. They are integrated into layered defense systems to protect Chinese airspace.

Antiaircraft Artillery

Historically, the PLAAF had a robust antiaircraft artillery component.

49. This component is gradually being abolished as the air force shifts its focus towards more advanced missile systems.

Airborne Warning and Control Systems

The PLAAF lacks significant airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).

50. This limitation hampers its ability to conduct comprehensive air operations, particularly in the absence of reliable aerial refueling capabilities.

The Future of China's Air Force

China's Air Force, officially known as the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), has come a long way since its establishment in 1949. From its early reliance on Soviet aircraft to its current modernization efforts, the PLAAF has evolved into a formidable force. Despite challenges like limited aerial refueling capabilities, outdated aircraft, and logistical issues, the PLAAF continues to invest in advanced technologies and training programs. The focus remains on achieving air superiority, enhancing electronic warfare capabilities, and developing a "strategic air force" capable of long-range offensive operations. As China continues to grow its military ambitions, the PLAAF will play a crucial role in the nation's defense strategy. Understanding these key facts provides a comprehensive overview of the PLAAF's capabilities, challenges, and future directions.