��� The PLA Air Force
� Table of Organization
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2
1. General:� Most PLAAF fixed wing
aircraft were ostensibly organized into 50 Air Divisions, numbered without gaps
from 1 to 50.� [The 46th Air
Division may never have formed.� It has
never been located and there do not appear to be identification codes available
for it].� The number of� regular Air Divisions is now being
reduced.� At least two have combined
with other divisions.� At least two have
become training divisions.� Three appear
to have become reserve Air Divisions.�
Seven others have apparently disbanded (although they may continue to
exist as reserve or training organizations, or they may have combined assets
with another division).� If those 15
divisions are subtracted from the nominal total of 49 active divisions, there
should be 34 remaining.� However, some
analysts state there are only 33 active divisions, while IISS lists 44.� In addition, PLAAF support aircraft, both
fixed wing and rotary wing, are organized into an unknown number of Independent
[Air]� Regiments and Special Air
Units.� Some, or all, of these units
have simple Arabic number identifications.�
There were historically four types of Air Divisions:� Fighter Divisions;� Attack Divisions, Bomber Divisions and Transport Divisions.� The PLAAF was historically triangular,
except a significant number of fighter and light transport regiments had four
line squadrons.� Also, each line
regiment has a training squadron. The PLAAF is now converting to a mixed
organization where most Air Regiment will have two line squadrons and a
training squadron.� In addition, many
air divisions have only two active regiments.�
Some divisions have a reserve regiment, some have only two regiments,
while still others have a fourth line regiment.� There are also indications reserve air units may have been
reactivated in 2002, although it is not clear if that is temporary?� This analysis concludes there are 34 active
and 3 reserve Air Divisions in 2002 while at least 2 others exit but are no
longer line units.
�
2. The 48th Air Division: �The 48th
Air Division was based at Leiyang in Guangzhou Province.� It operated the 144th (composite)
tanker regiment with one PLAAF and one PLANAF squadron, each composed of 10 L-6
tankers.� These are converted H-6 (Tu-16)
bombers.� Experiments with a converted
Y-8 transport (to become an L-8 tanker) concluded these aircraft are too slow
for PLAAF operational requirement. The 48th Air Division was unusual in that it
conducted joint operations with the PLANAF on a routine basis.� It has now disbanded, and the 144th
Air Regiment has transferred to the 8th Bomber Division, apparently
at Datong.� If the PLAAF intended to
create another tanker regiment, presumably the 48th Air Division
would not have been deactivated.
3. Aircraft Identification Numbers (Air Divisions):� The PLAAF uses a complex aircraft number identification scheme on
all fixed wing aircraft.� For aircraft
assigned to Air Divisions, the first digit (of five) is ALWAYS a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
or 7.� The fourth (second to last) digit
combines with the first digit to indicate the Air Division [and therefor the
base(s)] to which the aircraft is normally assigned.� PLANAF aircraft assigned to Air Divisions the first digit 8.� But while the PLANAF fourth digit simply is
the (navy) Air Division number, the PLAAF uses both the first and fourth digits
in a coded way.� For the First through
Ninth Air Divisions, the first digit is always a 1.� Simply subtract 1 from the fourth digit (where 0 has the value
10) to yield the Air Division number.�
For the 10th through 19th Air Divisions, the first
digit is always a 3. Combine the first and fourth digits and subtract 21 to
obtain the Air Division number.� [Note
Code 3xx0x means 19th Division.�
Typical of PLAAF codes, 0 = 10, so 30 has the value 40, and
40-21=19.]� For the 21st
through 29th Air Divisions, the first digit is always a 2.� Simply subtract 1 from the combined first
and fourth digits to get the Air Division number.� [Note Code 2xx0x means 29th division, using reasoning
described above.]� For the 31st
through the 39th Air Divisions, the first digit is always a 5.� Combine the first and fourth digits and
subtract 21 to obtain the Air Division number.�
For the 41st through 43rd Air Divisions, the first
digit is always a 4.� Simply subtract 1
from the combined first and fourth digits to get the Air Division number.� The 44th Air Division has two
codes, 4xx5x (which� fits the pattern)
and 4xx6x (which violates the pattern), one for each of its two bases.� The 47th through 49th
Air Divisions must subtract 2 from the combined first and fourth digits to get
the Air Division number.� Finally, the
50th Air Division has the first digit 7 and the 4 digit 0, also
violating the general pattern.�� The
second digit in the code identifies which regiment in the division the aircraft
belongs to.� Fighter regiments USUALLY
use 1 for the first regiment, 2 for the second regiment.� Bomber regiments USUALLY subtract 1 from
these values, where 0 is the first regiment, 1 the second and 2 the third.� SOMETIMES fighters use the bomber code.� Sometimes some regiments will use codes
which are 3 or even 6 too high.� This is
to permit different kinds of aircraft to be segregated by type.� The other digits specify a particular
aircraft.
4. Aircraft Identification Numbers (Independent Air Regiments):� The�� PLAAF
appears to use a similar aircraft identification scheme for all aircraft,
including rotary wing, assigned to Independent Air Regiments and Independent
Air Units.� The first digit indicates
the service of the air unit using the following scheme:� 2 = civil aircraft;� 3 = PLAAF aircraft;� 4 = China United Airline (paramilitary)
aircraft; 5, 6, 7 = PLAAF aircraft;� 8 =
PLAAC aircraft;� 9 = PLANAF
aircraft.� A first digit of 0 MAY
indicate PLAAC aircraft, or it may be reserved for small detachments of any
service.� A first digit of 1 may signify
an evaluation unit.� The second digit
may be the regiments actual number, but this are not always the case.� The other digits identify a specific
aircraft in the air unit.� Note at least
some units using this designation system operate missiles rather than aircraft.� Note that many recon aircraft appear to be
assigned to Independent Air Regiments/Air Units.
5. New Aircraft and Unit Conversion:� The
PLAAF is now buying the J-11 (Su-27) 4th generation fighter, its
Su-30 ground attack variant (designation unknown, possibly JH-11), its trainer
variant (designation presumably JJ-11), the J-8IID fighter, the JZ-8 recon
aircraft,� and the H-6H medium bomber.� Production of support aircraft appears to
include the L-8 tanker, the Y-5 and Y-7H (ex Y-14) transports, the CJ-6 trainer
(replacements only), and Z-9A helicopters.�
It is reported in some sources that the FCB-1/JH-7A and J-10 are in
production and �more than two dozen are in PLAAF service.�� Intentions for the FC-1 project are
unclear:� some sources indicate this is
an export only project while others estimate 300-500 PLAAF orders.� It appears that Fighter Divisions will
convert to an organization with one or two fighter regiments and one fighter
bomber regiment.� It appears that Bomber
Divisions will convert to all cruise missile armed variants.� It may be that Attack Divisions will be
phased out after a period in reserve.�
However, Q-5 Attack Divisions may convert to Fighter Divisions.� Purchases, and large-scale deliveries in
2002, of Su-27, Su-27 UBK and Su-30 have resulted in more than 250 airframes of
this family to exist in China.���
Negotiations to buy the Tu-22M have collapsed.� Development of the H-9 supersonic bomber is protracted.� It appears that more A-50AEW will also be
obtained.
6. Bomber Air Divisions:� The PLAAF operates three
Bomber Air Divisions (8th, 10th. & 36th).� All operate variants of the H-6 (Tu-16
Badger) medium bomber, the newest of which carry air to surface missiles.� All appear to be organized into two
regiments of two squadrons of ten aircraft each.� It is assumed that each regiment also has a training squadron of
CJ-6 trainers, as this is standard PLAAF practice.� These Air Divisions are associated with dispersal fields, recon
units and, since 1999, tankers. They routinely operate with other air force and
navy Bomber Air Divisions.� They
are� not reported to have any
air-refueling capability, but H-6 bombers and tankers have operated together
three times in 2002 and it may be some H-6 can be refueled.� H-6 do NOT have any low level attack
capability.� Chinese operators have
become �expert at daylight bombing and competent at all weather bombing
operations from high altitude� according to an unclassified USAF analysis.� The development of new standoff missiles and
continuing production indicates this bomber will remain in service until a
replacement becomes available.
7. Recon Aircraft:� Historically, all PLAAF recon
assets have been fighter type aircraft assigned to Independent Air Regiments
(Recon).� Each Air Corps is assigned one
or more Recon Regiments.� Other commands
may be assigned a Recon Regiment.� The
production and deployment of the current generation JZ-8 has begun.� This may be expected to replace older JZ-6s
in some units. Other units will probably be deactivated or disbanded.
8. AEW and ELINT Aircraft:� It is now
reported that the PLAAF has possession of 2 A-50 [Il-76AEW] aircraft.� At least 2 more will be obtained.� Some sources estimate as many as 6 more will
be obtained.� There is also a unit
operating 4 Tu-154ELINT aircraft.� This
impressive, if modest capability, is consistent with other PLAAF policies to be
able to prosecute a limited, local war of short duration.
9. Transport Air Divisions:� Most or all civil aircraft
in China are organized to operate under PLAAF control upon mobilization.� However, apparently only aircraft operated
by the para-military (PLAAF owned) China United Air Lines are routinely attached
to PLAAF Transport Air Divisions to support actual military operations in
combat areas.� On the other hand, civil
aircraft have been used to transport military units in non-combat situations
(for example, the Tienanmen Square suppression operation).� The air transport resources of the PLAAF are
modest.� However, the total air
transport resources of the PRC is impressive.�
Their routine organization to support the PLAAF upon mobilization
indicates a massive airlift capability exists which should not be underestimated.
10. PLAAF Rotary Wing Assets:� The PLAAF operates about 170 helicopters.� Most are obsolescent Z-5 (Mi-4) models.� There are also 40 Mi-8 (redesigned and jet
engine powered Mi-4) transports, and 20 Z-9 (procurement continuing)
trainers.� Finally, there are 10 western
built Bell 214 and 6 AS-332 in a VIP squadron.�
Most PLAAF helicopters were transferred to the PLAAC in 1989.�
11. ��Training Aircraft:� Each PLAAF air regiment
normally has a training squadron equipped with trainers.� All pilots in the regiment may normally fly
unlimited hours in the trainer and about 150 hours a year in type trainers of
the training unit.� Independent Air
Regiments either have no training squadron, or they operate only the standard
turboprop CJ-6 (PT-6).� Independent Air
Units normally have no trainers.� China
is developing a jet trainer, but this is apparently only for export.� Most Fighter and Attack Air Divisions
operate two seat variants of fighter aircraft (designated JJ-x)
in addition to the CJ-6. There are also a few
specialized JH-5 bomber trainers.
Bomber Air Divisions do not appear to operate bomber
trainers.� IISS reports the
existence of a �JL-8� (transport?) trainer, but this
is apparently an error.� The PLAAF
is transforming its training programs and squadron
leaders commonly have 4,000+
logged flight hours.� The training regime lasts 8 years, 4 in training units and 4 in
conversion units or regimental training
squadrons.���
12. PLAAF J-7E:� This aircraft has �HUD, air data computer, radar warning receiver,
PL-7 missiles (4 underwing pylons)� and is otherwise a relatively advanced
version of the MiG-21 derivative fighter.�
It may be able to operate with drop tanks, similar the PLANAF J-7E of
the Fourth (Naval) Air Division.� They
are also operated by the PLAAF Air Demonstration Team.� No longer being acquired because about
J-8IID and J-11 are being acquired.� The
J-7E might be encountered in expert hands.�
It is considered to be �clearly superior� to the Su-27 in close combat
maneuvering
�
13. Data Sources:� This considers information from standard reference
books from 1989-2002 including, a Boeing study dating from 2000, IISS Military
Balance, Jane�s All the World�s Aircraft, Jane�s Fighting Ships, Brassey�s
Combat Aircraft of the World, The International Directory of Military Aircraft
and the Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Aircraft.� It also considers articles in the military and aviation trade
press, news articles and web articles which the writer has collected in extensive
files, also since 1989.� The data is
somewhat confusing and contradictory and requires interpretation.� There are indications that the long decline
in equipment numbers significantly reversed in 2002.� The rate of acquisition and integration of new equipment also
appears to have accelerated moderately since 1999.
14.� PLAAF Basing and Equipment Assignments: �See attached Excel spreadsheet.