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The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) ( branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic Of China . HISTORY Although the Chinese Red Army (PLA's predecessor) had operated a few aircraft since the Second Sino-Japanese War , the first organized air arm of the PLA was the ''Nanyuan Flying Group'', formed in the summer of 1949 with about 40 ex-Nationalist aircraft, responsible for the air defence of the soon-to-be capital city of Beijing . The PLAAF itself was founded on 11 November 1949, shortly after the establishment of the People's Republic Of China . At the beginning it relied heavily on Soviet help and was armed with Soviet aircraft. Within 6 years, the PLAAF began manufacturing its own aircraft, but initially these were copies of Soviet types. The first of them was the J-4 , corresponding to the MiG-15 . Soviet involvement also extended to training combat pilots. Those took part to some degree in the and J-6 . The 1960s proved to be a difficult period for the PLAAF. This was due to the Break In Relations With The Soviet Union , and as a consequence the Chinese aircraft industry almost collapsed. The outbreak of the Vietnam War helped it to recover, though, as the PRC government began providing the forces of North Vietnam with J-4s, J-5s, and some J-6s. The 1960s also saw the first indigenous Chinese designs, namely the J-8 . Although the PLAAF received significant support from Western nations in the 1980s when China was seen as a counterweight to Soviet power, this support ended in 1989 as a result of the Chinese crackdown on the Tiananmen Protests Of 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Ironically, China's former foe, Russia , became its principal arms supplier to the effect that Chinese economic growth allowed Russia to sustain its aerospace industry. Between the Vietnam War and the early 1990s, the PLAAF's flying consisted mostly of large numbers of near-obsolete Soviet planes. The main mission scenario under consideration by the PLAAF during this time was to support the PLA in defending China against a massive Soviet tank invasion. Under the doctrine of People's War , Chinese air strategy involved large numbers of short-range low-technology fighters. This mix of forces would not have stood up well to the Republic Of China Air Force , which had fewer but much more modern planes such as the F-16 and Mirage 2000 . Modernisation Program In the early 1990s, the PLAAF began a program of modernization, motivated by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the possibility of military conflict with the Republic Of China on Taiwan , perhaps also involving the United States . This process began with the acquisition of Su-27 s in the early 1990s and the development of various fourth-generation aircraft including the domestic J-10 , and the JF-17 in collaboration with Pakistan . The PLAAF also strived to improve its pilot training and continued to retire obsolete aircraft. This resulted in a reduction of the overall number of aircraft in the PLAAF with a concurrent increase in quality. The 21st century has also seen another jump ahead in the modernization program with China's huge economic growth. It acquired 76 Su-30 MKK's from 2000 to 2003, and 24 upgraded Su-30 MKK2's in 2004. It also produced around 100 J-11s and bought 3 batches (at a total of 76) Su-27SK/UBK. Production of the J-10 began in 2002. The PLAAF also began developing its own Tanker Aircraft , which it lacked so far, by modifying old Soviet planes such as the Tu-16 Badger (in China known as the H-6). In 2005 it announced plans to buy approximately 30 IL-76 transport planes and eight Il-78 tanker planes from Russia, which would greatly increase its troop airlift capability, and offer extended range to many aircraft. In 2003, there were signs that the European Union would lift its arms embargo against the PRC. One hardware item in which the PRC was apparently strongly interested was the French Mirage 2000 fighter, which had also been sold to Taiwan. However, the embargo was kept in 2005, and it seems unlikely that fully built offensive hardware will be allowed for export to China from the EU even if the embargo is ever lifted. In that case, China would concentrate on buying avionics and similar technology. The current goal is to have a mostly fourth-generation air force, giving it an advantage over the older fourth-generation aircraft of the Republic Of China . However, the US may join in a potential conflict, and will start fielding fifth-generation F-22 s in 2006 and F-35 s several years later. Fortunately for the PLAAF, these American aircraft programs have suffered large budget overruns and delays and thus are planning to build much smaller numbers than originally planned. Other comparable fifth-generation fighters are the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale , but China seems unlikely to meet these in combat in the near future. The PLAAF is also developing its own fifth-generation fighter, the J-XX , as a possible counter to these Western fighters, however it may not be produced until late in the next decade. The fourteen Astronaut s selected for the Shenzhou Human Spaceflight program in 1998 were all Fighter Pilot s in the PLAAF. AIRCRAFT (#) indicate number in service with the PLAAF/PLAN Bombers
Fighter Bombers
Air Superiority Fighters
Multirole Fighters
Stealth Fighter
Special Mission Aircraft
Transport Aircraft
HELICOPTORS Attack Helicopters
Support Helicopters
Naval Helicopters
MARKINGS The markings of the PLAAF are a red star in front of a red band, it is slightly similar to the Insignia of the United States Air Force . The Red star contains the Chinese Character s for eight and one, representing August 1 1927 , the date of the formation of the PLA. PLAAF aircraft carry these markings on the fins as well. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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