China PLAAF OOB 2012
Contents
PLAAF - Aviation Branch - Order of Battle, 2012
Introduction
In terms of organisation, the PLAAF is distributed in no fewer than six branches:
- Aviation (Hankongbing)
- Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Gaoshepaobing)
- Surface-to-Air Missiles (Dikong daodanbing)
- Radar Troops (Leidabing)
- Airborne Units (Kongjiangbing)
- Communication Troops (Tongxinbing)
This page provides an insight into the organisation and structure of the Aviation Branch, and its elements operating combat and combat support aircraft. Structured along PLA lines, the Aviation Branch is organised into seven Military Region Air Force (MRAF) mirroring the PLA's Military Regions.
- Shenyang
- Beijing
- Lanzhou
- Nanjing
- Guangzhou
- Jinan
- Chengdu
Each MRAF exercises control over its subordinated units via Command Posts (CP).
| MRAF | Command Posts |
|---|---|
| Shenyang | Changchun, Dalian |
| Beijing | Datong, Tangshan |
| Lanzhou | Hetian (or Hotan), Ürümqi and Xi'ian |
| Nanjing | Fuzhou, Shangai, Zhangzhou |
| Guangzhou | Nanning, Wuhan |
| Jinan | No CP |
| Chengdu | Kunming, Lhasa |
Each CP controls a number of subordinated ground-based units, including SAM brigades and regiments, AAA regiments, radar, communications and other support units, as well as several Air Divisions (ADs).
In standard PLAAF terminology, the Aviation branch is usually described as consisting of the following type of units:
- Fighter (Jianjiji)
- Ground attack (Qiangjiji)
- Bomber (Hongzhaji)
- Transport (Yunshuji)
- Reconnaissance (Zhenchaji)
Generally, the PLAAF's AD are specialized in their tasks and each usually control 2 or 3 Air Regiments (ARs) equipped with the same type of aircraft or at least with the same role and purpose. Usually, each AR occupies its own air base and thus is broadly equivalent to a US Air Force Wing. It is further subdivided into two or three Fight Groups operating between 8 and 10 aircraft. At the lowest rung of the PLAAF's chain of command are Flying Squadrons controlling between 2 and 4 aircraft.
Direct-reporting units
Essentially equipped with transport aircraft, these units report directly to the PLA and the PLAAF Headquarters.
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15th Airborne Army | Xiaogan | HQ; Formerly 15th Airborne Corps | |
| 43rd Airborne Division | Kaifeng | uses aircraft of the Kaifeng-based 37th Regiment | |
44th Airborne Division
|
Guangshui-Yingshan |
|
|
45th Airborne Division
|
Xiaogan |
|
|
| 34th Transport Division | Shahe | HQ; VIP Transportation | |
| 100th Air Regiment (det) | Shahe | Y-7, EC225, AS.332L-1 | Helicopter and light transport detachment |
| 100th Air Regiment | Xiqiao | CRJ200, CRJ700, 737 | |
| 101st Air Regiment | Xingtai-Shahe | Y-7, Y-7G | |
| 102nd Air Regiment | Beijing-Nanyuan | Tu-154M, Tu-154MD, 737-3Q8, Learjet 35A | CUA Regiment (?) reports directly to HQAF |
| Strategic UAV Scout Force | Shahe | BZK-005, BZK-009 | Operational |
Shenyang MRAF
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Fighter Division | Anshan | HQ | |
| 1st Air Regiment | Anshan | J-11B/BS | |
| 2nd Air Regiment | Chifeng | J-10A/AS | |
| 3rd Air Regiment | Anshan | J-8F/JJ-7A | |
| 11th Ground-Attack Division | Siping | HQ | |
| 31st Air Regiment | Siping | JH-7A | |
| 32nd Air Regiment | Dalian Sanshilipu | Q-5 | |
| 33rd Air Regiment | Anshan | Q-5/Q-5J | |
| 16th Specialized Division | Shenyang Yu Hung Tun | HQ | |
| 46th Air Regiment | Shenyang Yu Hung Tun | JZ-8F, JZ-6, JJ-7A | Reconnaissance |
| 47th Air Regiment | Shenyang Yu Hung Tun | Y-8C, Y-8CB, Y-8G | EW |
| 48th Air Regiment | Shenyang Yu Hung Tun | Y-7-100 | EW |
| 21st Fighter Division | Qiqihar | HQ | |
| 61st Air Regiment | Yanji/Chaoyangchuan | J-7E, JJ-7A | |
| 62nd Air Regiment | Qiqihar | J-8DH/H/F, JJ-7A | |
| 63rd Air Regiment | Mudanjiang-Hailang | J-7H, JJ-7A | |
| Air Force Aviation University | Flight instructor and Basic Flight Training Base | ||
| 1st Training Regiment | Changchun-Dafangshen | CJ-6A? | |
| 2nd Training Regiment | Changchun-Datun | CJ-6 | |
| 3rd Training Regiment | Changchun-Dafangshen | CJ-6 | |
| Sky Wing | Jinzhou North / Fuxin | CJ-6 | Aerial Demonstration Team |
| Dalian Base | Dandong | HQ | |
| 88th Brigade | Dandong | J-7E | |
| 89th Brigade | Pulandian | J-11B/BS | |
| 90th Brigade | Wafangdian | Q-5D, Q-5J | |
| 91st Brigade | Liuhe | J-7B | |
| Shenyang MR Liaison Unit | |||
| Independent Transport Regiment | Shenyang-Dongta | Y-5, Y-7 | MR HQ base |
Beijing MRAF
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Fighter Division | Zhangjiakou | HQ | |
| 19th Air Regiment | Zhangjiakou | J-11B/Su-27SK/UBK | |
| 20th Air Regiment | Tangshan | J-7B/J-7A | |
| 21st Air Regiment | yangging Yongning | J-7B/J-7A | |
| 15th Ground-Attack Division | Datong-Huaireng | HQ | |
| 43rd Air Regiment | Datong-Huairen | J-10A/AS | |
| 44th Air Regiment | Hohhot-Bikeqi | J-7G,JJ-7A | |
| 45th Air Regiment | Qizhou-Dingxian | Q-5B/C/L/J | |
| 24th Fighter Division | Tianjin Yangcun | HQ | |
| Ba Yi (1 August) | Tianjin Yangcun | J-10AY/SY | Aerial Demonstration Team |
| 70th Air Regiment | Zunhua | J-7G,JJ-7A | |
| 71st Air Regiment | Status unclear | ||
| 72nd Air Regiment | Tianjin Tangcun | J-10A/AS | |
| Beijing MR Liaison Unit | |||
| Independent Transport Regiment | Shahe | Y-5, Y-7 | MR HQ base |
| Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) | Cangzhou-Cangxian | HQ | |
| 1st FTTC Regiment | Gucheng | J-10A/AS, JL-9 | Blue Force Regiment aka Aggressors |
| 2nd FTTC Regiment | Cangzhou-Cangxian | J-7E, J-8D/F, JL-9 | |
| 3rd FTTC Regiment | Cangzhou-Cangxian | Su-30MKK |
Lanzhou MRAF
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Fighter Division | Yinchuan | HQ | |
| 16th Air Regiment | Yinchuan | J-11B | |
| 17th Air Regiment | Jiuquan | J-7B | |
| 18th Air Regiment | Lintaog | J-7H | |
| 36th Bomber Division | Lintong | HQ | |
| 106th Aerial Survey Regiment | Hanzhong Chenggu | Y-8H | |
| 107th Air Regiment | Lintong | H-6H | Nuclear deterrent role |
| 108th Air Regiment | Wugong | H-6M | |
| Air Force Test Regiment | Dingxin | Various | Often called Special Missile Testing Unit (SMTU) |
| China Flight Test Establishment | Xi'an Yanliang | Various | |
| Ürümqi Base | Ürümqi | HQ | |
| 109th Brigade | Changju | J-8F | |
| 109th Brigade | Wulumuqi | J-7B | |
| 109th Brigade | Korla Xinhiang | J-11B | |
| Unknown Brigade | Malan | JH-7A | |
| Lanzhou MR Liaison Unit | |||
| Independent Transport Regiment | Lanzhou | Y-7 | MR HQ base |
Nanjing MRAF
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Fighter Division | Wuhu | ||
| 7th Air Regiment | Wuhu | J-7E | |
| 8th Air Regiment | Changxing | J-10A | |
| 9th Air Regiment | Wuhu | Su-30MKK | |
| 10th Bomber Division | Anqing | ||
| 28th Air Regiment | Anqing North | H-6H | |
| 29th Air Regiment | Nanjing Dajiaochang | H-6H | |
| 30th EW Regiment | Nanjing Dajiaochang | Y-8G | |
| 14th Fighter Division | Nanchang Xiangtang | ||
| 40th Air Regiment | Nanchang Xiangtang | J-11A | |
| 41st Air Regiment | Wuyishan | J-11B | |
| 42nd Air Regiment | Zhangshu | J-7E | |
| 26th Special Mission Division | Wuxi Shuofang | ||
| 76th EW Regiment | Wuxi Shuofang | Y-8W, KJ-2000 | |
| 77th Air Regiment | Nanjing Daiiaochang | Y-7H | |
| 78th SAR Regiment | Nanjing Tushan | Z-8K | |
| 28th Ground-Attack Division | Hangzhou Jinqiao | ||
| 82nd Air Regiment | Hangzhou Jinqiao | Q-5D | |
| 83rd Air Regiment | Hangzhou Jinqiao | JH-7A | |
| 84th Air Regiment | Jiaxing | JH-7A | |
| Shanghai Base | Quzhou | ||
| 78th Brigade | Shanghai Chongming | J-8F | |
| 85th Brigade | Quzhou | Su-30MKK | |
| 86th Brigade | Rugao | J-7E | |
| 93rd Brigade | Suzhou | JZ-8F | |
| Unmanned Attack Brigade | |||
| 1st Dadui | Liancheng Longyan Guanzhi | J-6 drone | |
| 2nd Dadui | Yangtang Li | J-6 drone | |
| 3rd Dadui | Wuyishan | J-6 drone | |
| 4th Dadui | Ji-an Taihe Liancheng | J-6 drone | |
| 5th Dadui | Fuzhou | J-6 drone |
Guangzhou MRAF
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Fighter Division | Suixi | ||
| 4th Air Regiment | Foshan | J-8D, JJ-7A | |
| 5th Air Regiment | Guilin | J-10A/AS | |
| 6th Air Regiment | Suixi | Su-27SK/UBK, J-11A | |
| 8th Bomber Division | Leiyang | ||
| 22nd Air Regiment | Shaodong | H-6H | |
| 23rd Air Regiment | Leiyang | H-6H, HU-6 | |
| 24th Air Regiment | Leiyang | H-6K | |
| 9th Fighter Division | Shantou NE | ||
| 25th Air Regiment | Shaoguang | J-7EH | |
| 26th Air Regiment | Huizhou-Huiyang | J-10A/AS | |
| 27th Air Regiment | Shantou NE | J-7B | |
| 13th Transport Division | Wuhan-Paozhuwan | ||
| 37th Air Regiment | Kaifeng | Y-8C | |
| 38th Air Regiment | Wuhan-Yangluo | Y-7, An-26 | |
| 39th Air Regiment | Dangyang | Il-76MD | |
| 18th Fighter Division | Changsha | ||
| 52nd Air Regiment | Wuhan-Shanpo | J-7B | |
| 53rd Air Regiment | Laohekou | J-7B, JJ-7A | |
| 54th Air Regiment | Changsha | Su-30MKK | |
| Hong Kong Garrison | Hong Kong/Shek Kong | Z-9B/WH, Z-8KH | |
| Nanning Base | Nanning Wuxu | ||
| 124th Brigade | Bose Tianyang | J-7H | |
| 125th Brigade | Nanning-Wuxu | J-7H | |
| 126th Brigade | Liuzhou | J-7H | |
| Unknown Brigade | ? | ? | Still to be established |
Jinan MRAF
The smallest of the seven major PLAAF organisations and the least well known. It is not know to have any official CP within its structure, and its purpose is somewhat unclear: some sources even indicate that teh forces assigned to it are considered a strategic reserve.
| Unit | Base | Aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Ground-Attack Division | Weifang-Weixian | ||
| 13th Air Regiment | Weifang-Weixian | Q-5D/L/J | |
| 14th Air Regiment | Zhuzheng | Q-5C/L | |
| 15th Air Regiment | Weifang-Weixian | JH-7A | |
| 12th Fighter Division | Jinan | ||
| 34th Air Regiment | Wendeng | H-6H | |
| 35th Air Regiment | Gaomi | J-8II | |
| 36th Air Regiment | Jinan | J-7B | |
| 19th Fighter Division | Jining | ||
| 55th Air Regiment | Jining | J-11, Su-27SK/UBK | |
| 56th Air Regiment | Zengzhou | J-7B | |
| 57th Air Regiment | Shangqiu | J-7B | |
| Jinan MR Liaison Unit | Jinan | ||
| Independent Transport Regiment | Jinan | Y-5, Y-7 | |
| Independent Transport Regiment | Jinan | Z-9, Mi-171 |
Chengdu MRAF
Source
Rupprecht A. & Cooper T. (2012), "Modern Chinese Warplanes: Combat Aircraft and Units of the Chinese Air Force and Naval Aviation", Casemate Publishers, ISBN: 978-0-9854554-0-8.
