AFM’s latest Force Report – by Andreas Rupprecht – begins with an examination of the origins and history of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, to better understand the current issues faced by China and the latest developments within its armed forces.
FORCE REPORT
People’s Liberation Army Air Force Part One
The J-20 is the most visible symbol of the strides taken by the PLAAF in its bid to modernise and is the pride of a reinvigorated indigenous aircraft industry. This is one of the initial-production J-20A versions, the first examples of which broke cover late last year.
All photos via Chinese internet
Historically, the PLAAF relied upon copies of Soviet-designed aircraft to populate its ranks. Chinese-built developments of the ‘Flanker’ family have added progressively more advanced avionics and weapons, as well as indigenous engines. Nearest the camera, serial 11234 of the 2nd Air Division represents the J-11A variant with updated radar, R-77 air-to-air missile capability and multifunction cockpit displays.
Fascinating things are happening in mainland China – the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Only a few years ago the country was widely seen as a mystery, especially in the West.
