People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force 中国人民解放军海军航空兵
Flag of the People's Liberation Army Navy
Active	1955–present
Country	People's Republic of China
Allegiance	Communist Party of China[1]
Branch	People's Liberation Army Navy
Type	Naval aviation
Size	26,000 personnel 710+ aircraft
Aircraft flown
Attack	Nanchang Q-5
Bomber	Xian H-6, Xian JH-7
Electronic warfare	KJ-200
Fighter	Chengdu J-7, Shenyang J-11, Shenyang J-15, Sukhoi Su-30MKK, Xian JH-7
Attack helicopter	Kamov Ka-27
Cargo helicopter	Mil Mi-8
Observation helicopter	Kamov Ka-31
Utility helicopter	Changhe Z-18, Harbin Z-9
Interceptor	Shenyang J-8
Patrol	Harbin SH-5, Ilyushin Il-28, Shaanxi Y-8
Trainer	Guizhou JL-9, Hongdu JL-8, Nanchang CJ-6, Shenyang J-5, Shenyang J-6
Transport	Shijiazhuang Y-5, Xian Y-7, Yakovlev Yak-42

The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF; simplified Chinese: 中国人民解放军海军航空兵; traditional Chinese: 中國人民解放軍海軍航空兵; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmǐn Jiěfàng Jūn 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 Taiwanese intruders. 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 690+ 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

• Provide fleet air defense for PLAN surface combatants
• Patrol and hunt/destroy for submarines
• Air patrols and defense of territorial waters
• Air defense of the mainland's coastline
• Anti-ship attack

Secondary Mission

• Transport and training
• Search and rescue
• Assault transport and tactical support for amphibious operations
• Interdiction attack on enemy ground targets

Equipment

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-15, may enter naval service by 2015 as a dedicated medium-sized multi-role shipborne helicopter. 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 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.

In addition, the PLANAF would undergo significant change once China's first aircraft carrier is fully operational. Near the end of October 2006, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper revealed that Russian state-run weapon exporter Rosoboronexport was completing negotiations with China to deliver up to 48 Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO codename: Flanker-D) carrier-capable fighter aircraft in a purchase deal reportedly worth $2.5 billion. The Su-33 is a variant of Sukhoi’s Su-27 Flanker with canards, foldings wings, an arrester hook, a reinforced structure, and other modifications that help it deal with carrier operations and landings.

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.

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.^[4] 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.^[5] 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 aircraft carrier would be domestically produced.^[6]

See also

• Republic of China Naval Aviation Command
• List of active People's Liberation Army aircraft
• People's Liberation Army Air Force
• Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning

References

External links

• sinodefense.com
• china-military.org
• Article on China’s Third Aircraft Carrier from 20 June 2014 by David Axe