People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
中国人民解放军海军航空兵
People's Liberation Army Navy Jack and Ensign
People's Liberation Army Navy Jack and Ensign
Flag of the People's Liberation Army Navy
Active1952–present
Country People's Republic of China
Allegiance Chinese Communist Party
Branch People's Liberation Army Navy
TypeNaval aviation
Size26,000 personnel
710+ aircraft
Part of People's Liberation Army
Aircraft flown
BomberXian H-6, Xian JH-7
Electronic
warfare		KJ-200
FighterChengdu J-7, Shenyang J-11, Shenyang J-15, Sukhoi Su-30MKK, Xian JH-7
Attack helicopterKamov Ka-27
Cargo helicopterMil Mi-8, Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
Utility helicopterChanghe Z-18, Harbin Z-9
InterceptorShenyang J-8
PatrolHarbin SH-5, Shaanxi Y-8, Ilyushin Il-28
TrainerGuizhou JL-9, Hongdu JL-8, Nanchang CJ-6, Shenyang J-5, Shenyang J-6
TransportShijiazhuang Y-5, Xian Y-7, Yakovlev Yak-42

The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF; Chinese: 中国人民解放军海军航空兵; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Hǎijūn Hángkōngbīng) is the naval aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Overview

Historically, the PLANAF's main role has been to provide the navy's warships with air defense coverage. Part of the coastal defense doctrine was to have naval aircraft protecting the ships, hence the reason why many PLA ships of the 1960s–70s lacked long range anti-aircraft missiles or artillery. During the Sino-Vietnamese War, the PLANAF carried out many successful bombing and airstrike missions against Vietnamese territories, such as in the Spratly Islands. The 1960s saw a series of air combat sorties flown against the Republic of China Air Force. PLANAF pilots have been credited with many major victories over the Taiwanese in these small incidents. Historical aircraft operated by the PLANAF include the J-5, the J-6, and H-5. These aircraft have been retired by the late 1990s.

Today, the PLANAF has a strength of around 26,000 personnel and 710 aircraft. It operates similar aircraft to the People's Liberation Army Air Force, including fighters, bombers, strike aircraft, tankers, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, maritime patrol, seaplane, transport, training and helicopter types. The PLANAF has traditionally received older aircraft than the PLAAF and has taken less ambitious steps towards mass modernization. Advancements in new technologies, weaponry and aircraft acquisition were made after 2000. The modern day PLANAF is capable of performing a number of roles, and is quite numerically and technologically adept in anti-ship and air defense operations.

Mission

Primary Mission

Secondary Mission

Equipment

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Xian H-6  China Strategic bomber H-6G/N 45[1] licensed variant of the Tupolev Tu-16
Xian JH-7  China Fighter bomber JH-7/JH-7A 120[1]
Shenyang J-8  China Interceptor J-8H/FH 24[1]
Chengdu J-10  China Multirole J-10AH/SH 23[1]
Shenyang J-11  China Air superiority J-11BH/BSH 72[1]
Shenyang J-15  China Multirole 60[1] Production for batch 03 started
Sukhoi Su-30  Russia Multirole Su-30MK2 24[1]
AWACS
Shaanxi Y-8  China AEW KJ-200H 6[2]
AEW Y-8J 4[2]
Shaanxi Y-9  China AEW KJ-500H 14+[1]
Changhe Z-18  China AEW Z-18J 2[3]
Kamov Ka-31  Russia AEW 9[3]
Reconnaissance
Xian JH-7  China Tactical reconnaissance JH-7 B.01 4[4]
Shenyang J-8  China Tactical reconnaissance JZ-8F 4[5]
Electronic Warfare
Shaanxi Y-8  China ELINT Y-8JB 5[2]
Shaanxi Y-9  China ELINT Y-9JZ 8[2]
Maritime patrol
Shaanxi Y-8  China Maritime patrol aircraft Y-8X 3[2]
Shaanxi Y-9  China Maritime patrol aircraft KQ-200 20+[1]
Tanker
Xian H-6  China aerial refueling H-6DU 4[6]
Transport
Shijiazhuang Y-5  China Transport Y-5C 18[6]
Xian Y-7  China Tactical transport Y-7H 5[6]
Shaanxi Y-8  China Tactical transport Y-8C 30[6]
Harbin Y-12  China Aerial survey Y-12F 2[6]
Xian MA60  China Aerial survey MA-60H 2[6]
Bombardier CRJ200  Canada VIP transport CRJ-200 2[6]
Bombardier CRJ700  Canada VIP transport CRJ-700 2[6]
Yakovlev Yak-42  Soviet Union VIP transport Yak-42D 2[6]
Helicopter
Changhe Z-8  China ASW Z-8 24[3] licensed built Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
SAR Z-8J/JH 6[3]
MEDVAC Z-8S 4[3]
Harbin Z-9  China ASW Z-9C 24[3] licensed built variant of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
ASW Z-9D 14[3]
SAR Z-9S 2[3]
Changhe Z-18  China Transport 4[3]
ASW Z-18F 2[3]
Kamov Ka-27  Soviet Union SAR Ka-27PS 3[3]
Kamov Ka-28  Soviet Union ASW Ka-28 14[3]
Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon  France ASW 13[3]
Eurocopter AS565 Panther  France ASW AS565SA 6[3]
Trainer aircraft
Nanchang CJ-6  China Basic trainer CJ-6A 40[7]
Hongdu JL-8  China jet trainer JL-8H 32[7]
Guizhou JL-9 China jet trainer JL-9H 20[7]
carrier trainer JL-9G 16[7]
Hongdu JL-10  China jet trainer JL-10H 8[7]
Xian Y-7  China Navigator and bombardier trainer Y-7LH 12[7]
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Guizhou Sunshine  China MALE UAV 2[8]
Chengdu Pterodactyl I  China MALE UAV 24[8]
Harbin Giant Eagle  China MALE UAV 21[8]
Guizhou Soar Dragon  China HALE UAV 8[8]

Future

Its future is unclear. However, it is certain that as the navy receives more attention, the PLANAF will receive newer aircraft and much more funding, as its significant role in projecting power over the sea is becoming evermore realized. A new transport helicopter, the Z-20, may enter naval service by 2021 as a dedicated medium-sized multi-role shipborne helicopter.[9] This would replace the Z-9C and complement the Ka-28 Helix. In early 2006, an article reported a deal between China and Russia, which sees the PLANAF's acquisition of 40 Ka-29 assault transports, 20+ Ka-31 airborne early warning (AEW) helicopters (mounted with search radar) and up to 20 Be-200 jet amphibians. If the purchase goes ahead, that would represent a major step forward for the PLANAF in terms of capabilities. The Ka-29 may form the first dedicated transport for the marine corps, the Ka-31's powerful radar can serve in over-the-horizon target acquisitions and early warning for Chinese surface ships, and the Be-200 jet amphibian would replace the SH-5 in maritime patrol duties and ASW.

As of 2011, SAC is developing its own naval jet, called Shenyang J-15, which first flew in 2009. The Shenyang J-31 may be a future carrier based stealth fighter in the same role as the F-35C.[10]

On June 4, 2009, UPI reported that Eastern European sources had reported that preparations had been completed to construct an aircraft carrier at Changxing Island Shipyard.[11] China has also started constructing its own Naval Aviation Testing and Training Complex (NITKA) near Xingcheng.

The 67,500 ton ex-Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag (Admiral Kuznetsov class), which was only 70% completed and floating in Ukraine, was purchased and underwent a long refit. Varyag was stripped of any military equipment as well as her propulsion before she was put up for sale. News reports stated that she was being refitted to be returned to operational status.[12] Sea trials of the carrier started in late 2011, and it was commissioned on September 25, 2012, as the Liaoning.

In 2013, PLAN Air Force officer Hue Xsai announced that a second larger and more capable Type 001A aircraft carrier would be domestically produced.[13]

In July 2018, Lieutenant General Zhang Honghe of the PLAAF stated that China is developing a new carrier-based aircraft that will replace the J-15 due to four crashes and numerous technical problems. One problem with the aircraft is that it is the heaviest carrier-borne fighter in current operation with an empty weight of 17,500 kg compared to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's 14,600 kg (though it is less than the F-14 Tomcat's weight of 19,800 kg). Weight problems are compounded when operating off Liaoning, as its STOBAR launch and recovery method further limits payload capacity.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.260
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  4. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  5. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 26. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  9. ↑ "ASW-capable variant of Z-20 helo may soon enter PLA Navy service". 11 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "China's New Carrier-Based Stealth Fighter Makes First Flight". 29 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "China ready to build its first aircraft carrier". Upi.com. 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  12. ↑ Jon Rosamond, 'China completes joint exercise with UK aircraft carrier,' Jane's Navy International, November 2007, p.6
  13. ↑ Gayathri, Amrutha (24 April 2013). "China To Build Second, Larger Aircraft Carrier To Bolster Military Hardware, Says State Media". IB Times. IBT Media Inc. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  14. ↑ Chan, Minnie (July 5, 2018). "China is working on a new fighter jet for aircraft carriers to replace its J-15s". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ Beijing keen to develop J-15 successor - report Archived 2019-01-22 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International. 5 July 2018.
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