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Historically, the PLANAF's main role has been to provide the navy's warships with air defense coverage. Part of the coastal defensedoctrine 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.
A PLANAF J-15 made the first landing on Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, on 25 November 2012.
According to the Department of the Air Force's China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) the PLANAF had around 2016 a major restructuring into a brigade structure.
In 2023, the PLANAF transferred maritime strike, bomber, and most fighter units to the People's Liberation Army Air Force, including at least 3 fighter brigades, 2 bomber regiments, 3 radar brigades, 3 air defense brigades, and some airbases. It retained carrier aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and other special purpose aircraft.
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.
In 2023, China is accelerating the development of its FC-31 prototype successor the Shenyang J-35 fighter jet to be carried on the Fujian aircraft carrier. The J-35 is expected to complete carrier-based testing soon, while the Fujian is in the final stages of outfitting and is projected to undergo sea trials in 2023, to steady its progress in naval modernization.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (13 February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge. ISBN978-1-032-78004-7.
Lee, Rod (31 July 2023). PLA Naval Aviation Reorganization 2023. United States Air Force Air University (Report). China Aerospace Studies Institute. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
People's Republic of China
Chinese Communist Party
People's Liberation Army Navy
People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army