The Warplanes of China’s Air Force

In recent years, China has been strengthening its military presence in the Pacific region, prompting concerns about potential actions to reclaim Taiwan. By reinforcing its naval and aerial capabilities, the People’s Liberation Army seeks to assert its dominance and expand its global influence.

China’s ascent in global politics coincides with a striking expansion in its military capabilities, particularly evident in the advancement of its air force. With a significant fleet of operational aircraft, China’s air force substantially contributes to China’s assertiveness both regionally and globally.

To identify all of the planes in active service in the Chinese air force, 24/7 Wall St. consulted the 2023 report World Air Forces from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. The aircraft are ranked according to the number of units in active service. Combat helicopters and trainer aircraft are excluded from this list. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft and how many are in active service was gathered from FlightGlobal. Data on each aircraft’s first flight came from various military and historical sources.

China’s air force is equipped with a substantial number of combat aircraft, ranging from air superiority fighters and multi-role combat jets to ground attack and bomber planes. The primary objective of these aircraft is to establish aerial dominance by engaging enemy planes and conducting strategic and precise strikes. Prominent operational Chinese combat aircraft such as the J-10, J-11, J-16, Su-27, and J-7, are strategically designed and engineered to carry out a wide range of air missions.

The J-20 stealth fighter distinguishes itself from the rest of the fleet as a fifth-generation fighter jet. Equipped with low-observability and radar-evading airframes, along with advanced avionics, it can effectively evade enemy detection.

Transport aircraft are another essential component of the Chinese air force. Larger transport planes, like the Y-20, Y-9, and Il-76, are responsible for troop supply during conflicts, supporting humanitarian aid operations, and conducting strategic airlift missions. 

China’s commitment to strengthening its military power is evident in the operational fleet of its air force. Whether through combat planes, transport aircraft, or special mission aircraft, China is prepared to prove itself on the global stage.

Here are the active aircraft of the Chinese air force:

20. Boeing 737

• Type: Special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 2
• First flight: April 1967
• Top speed: 544 mph

19. An-30 Clank

• Type: Special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 3
• First flight: August 1967
• Top speed: 336 mph

18. IL-78 Midas

• Type: Tanker
• Active in Chinese air force: 3
• First flight: June 1983
• Top speed: 528 mph

17. Challenger 870

• Type: Special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 5
• First flight: August 2006
• Top speed: 542 mph

16. Tu-154 Careless

• Type: Transport, special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 9
• First flight: October 1968
• Top speed: 590 mph

15. Harbin Y-12

• Type: Transport
• Active in Chinese air force: 11
• First flight: July 1982
• Top speed: 205 mph

14. Xian MA60

• Type: Transport
• Active in Chinese air force: 16
• First flight: August 2006
• Top speed: 320 mph

13. Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 19
• First flight: January 2011
• Top speed: 1,305 mph

12. IL-76 Candid

• Type: Transport, special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 30
• First flight: March 1971
• Top speed: 559 mph

11. Xian Y-20 Kunpeng

• Type: Transport, tanker
• Active in Chinese air force: 33
• First flight: January 2013
• Top speed: 572 mph

10. Shaanxi Y-9

• Type: Transport, special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 38
• First flight: November 2010
• Top speed: 350 mph

9. Xian Y-7

• Type: Transport
• Active in Chinese air force: 48
• First flight: February 1984
• Top speed: 314 mph

8. Xian JH-7 Flounder

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 69
• First flight: December 1988
• Top speed: 1,118 mph

7. Shenyang J-8

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 96
• First flight: June 1984
• Top speed: 1,453 mph

6. Shaanxi Y-8 Yunshuji-8

• Type: Transport, special mission
• Active in Chinese air force: 110
• First flight: December 1974
• Top speed: 410 mph

5. Nanchang Q-5 Fantan

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 118
• First flight: June 1965
• Top speed: 739 mph

4. Xian H-6

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 120
• First flight: August 1959
• Top speed: 652 mph

3. Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 235
• First flight: March 1998
• Top speed: 1,452 mph

2. Shenyang J-11 Flanker

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 315
• First flight: March 1998
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

1. Chengdu J-7 Fishcan

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Active in Chinese air force: 387
• First flight: January 1966
• Top speed: 1,367 mph